paranoidxe
Member
- :
- Protege5 2002
I could swear when I'm driving around at night my headlights dim for a brief second almost like they are off but then they are back on again. I am suspecting the battery, but would like other opinions as well.
Electric problem, lights dim randomly
- Thread starter paranoidxe
- Start date
they shouldn't dim to near off for no reason, that is strange
are you still on the stock battery? if so, I'd recommend replacing it (Sears Diehard Gold, great warranty, cheaper than the over-hyped Optima, and plenty of cold cranking amps)
running your power windows, a heavy pumping stereo, a/c compressor kicking in, and some other things could also be the cause for lights dimming
HIDs are a waste of money in my opinion, the stock lights are some of the best rated by consumer reports!
are you still on the stock battery? if so, I'd recommend replacing it (Sears Diehard Gold, great warranty, cheaper than the over-hyped Optima, and plenty of cold cranking amps)
running your power windows, a heavy pumping stereo, a/c compressor kicking in, and some other things could also be the cause for lights dimming
HIDs are a waste of money in my opinion, the stock lights are some of the best rated by consumer reports!
Maxx Mazda
Contributor
- :
- Stock P5
mogi said:
Put some HIDs in and then re-evaluate that sentence...
A/C compressor / fans. This has come up many a time before.
paranoidxe
Member
- :
- Protege5 2002
Tends to do it more so in between shifts, and it doesn't happen VERY often.
No doubt - I just put some in and I will never go back! My headlights used to dim every time the A/C kicked in - at least until I did this How-to:
http://www.msprotege.com/vbb300/showthread.php?t=55382
http://www.msprotege.com/vbb300/showthread.php?t=55382
Maxx Mazda said:
Maxx Mazda
Contributor
- :
- Stock P5
viVid said:
Hehehehe funny yo should post that. I wrote that How-To originally on protegeclub.
How long do our stock batteries generally last? I'm not having any dimming issues (yet, though that may change with the new ICE being installed ), but I haven't touched the battery since I got the car just over two years ago. Not sure if the previous owner changed it at all...
), but I haven't touched the battery since I got the car just over two years ago. Not sure if the previous owner changed it at all...I've only got 25k on my 2002, and the battery is already weak. Going with an Optima redtop in a few weeks.
MyZmZm said:How long do our stock batteries generally last? I'm not having any dimming issues (yet, though that may change with the new ICE being installed
Maxx Mazda
Contributor
- :
- Stock P5
Hey Andrea,
I'm still on my stocker, and its going strong as ever. Mind you, I top it off and trickle charge it every winter before putting it back into the car, but I basically beat the s*** out of that battery. I ALWAYS pump the system without the car runnign for sometimes 2-3 hous at a time, run the HIDs, and I even had underbody neons hooked up at one time. Knock on wood though, I think it's on its last year. The stock battery is not maintenence free, meaning you should top it off every year with distilled water, but only do it when it's fully charged or you may blow it up.
I'm still on my stocker, and its going strong as ever. Mind you, I top it off and trickle charge it every winter before putting it back into the car, but I basically beat the s*** out of that battery. I ALWAYS pump the system without the car runnign for sometimes 2-3 hous at a time, run the HIDs, and I even had underbody neons hooked up at one time. Knock on wood though, I think it's on its last year. The stock battery is not maintenence free, meaning you should top it off every year with distilled water, but only do it when it's fully charged or you may blow it up.
Hey Nick, how's the vacation going? You'd better be enjoying that warm weather for the both of us!Maxx Mazda said:
I haven't had any starting issues so far this winter, though it hasn't been excessively cold, but I'm guessing mine will be on the way out the door next year...
I didn't know the stock battery had to be topped up each year - no one's ever mentioned anything of the sort to me, including the dealer. Is there any way to check it to see if you need to do this?
car batteries usually go strong 3+years no problems. usually start getting weak after the 3rd year depending on how well maintained the battery is. most drivers dont add flued to there batteries so they dry out and the cells start dieing out, or loss of amprage, doesnt hold charge long etc. usually something has to kicks in to make the lights dim fans compresser or a bass note from your sound system wiether it be stock or aftermarket. otherthan baterry could be alternator not running at full strength. if you have a voltameter just take a voltage reading from the alternator while the car is running. practice caution cuase the car is runninng (if you do not have the skill or knowledge to do this please dont)! but not everyone has a voltameter so some miight say its a bad idea to do this but i really dont see how could cuase any real damage but one way to test if its an alternator problem is to start up your car and turn off your radio remove the positive connecter on the terminal onlyand if the engine keeps goin than alternator is still good. but id recomemd to turn off radio and maybe ac too might want that on though to get a adiqute test. and like always practice caution doing this every metal surface on that car should be grounded so dont let that possitive connecter touch anything. but recomend the voltameter thing though less stress on you electrical system.
Last edited:
Maxx Mazda
Contributor
- :
- Stock P5
MyZmZm said:Hey Nick, how's the vacation going? You'd better be enjoying that warm weather for the both of us!
I haven't had any starting issues so far this winter, though it hasn't been excessively cold, but I'm guessing mine will be on the way out the door next year...
I didn't know the stock battery had to be topped up each year - no one's ever mentioned anything of the sort to me, including the dealer. Is there any way to check it to see if you need to do this?
Once the battery is fully charged (this is important, run your car with no electrics on for like 10 mins to charge it up or else you can overfil lthe battery and you will get acid everywhere!
) Anyways, make sure the car is on leverl ground, and grab a large flathead or philips screwdriver. Look on top of your battery, there should be 6 or so little screw in caps. Unscrew each cover, and just look in. Add distilled water (READ - NOT mineral water) to each cell until full. Repalce caps and you're good to go. That should help extend the battery life another year or so for you.Hope that helps!
I'm too lazy to do that... think I'll get an Optima red top instead! Hehehehe...
Actually that's great advice... especially the distilled water.
Actually that's great advice... especially the distilled water.
Maxx Mazda said:Once the battery is fully charged (this is important, run your car with no electrics on for like 10 mins to charge it up or else you can overfil lthe battery and you will get acid everywhere!
Hope that helps!
Maxx Mazda said:Once the battery is fully charged (this is important, run your car with no electrics on for like 10 mins to charge it up or else you can overfil lthe battery and you will get acid everywhere!
Hope that helps!
I did this in the middle of last winter and it did improve things. The battery is starting to seem weak already this winter so I will probably break down and either get a nice Diehard from Sears or something from like Autozone since I don't do any heavy stereo or anything else like that.
If you do this, have some water with baking soda mixed in handy. If you spill over you can pour that on the acid effected areas and it will neutralize the acid and help prevent any damage.
paranoidxe
Member
- :
- Protege5 2002
Another mysterious issue is when I went to get on my car the other day all my radio settings were set to default and I didn't fiddle with them. Thats another reason why I'm wondering if its the battery.
paranoidxe
Member
- :
- Protege5 2002
Wasn't a loose connection, but it was actually a corroded battery terminal.
