flickering headlights

[jdowden1]

has anyone ever noticed their headlights flicker before? while driving ill see my headlights flicker, i think, either they're really flickering or my eye sight is going out. lol
any help would be appreciated as to where i should look for problems.

thanks

 

[Matt V]

Do you have HID's? If so you need a relay harness.

 

[mazdaspeedp]

ya my hids flicker all the time sometimes they even go out think its cuz the balases are bad

 

[jdowden1]

nopeeee just standard headlights. Even like the dash lights and stuff flicker when i put a slight strain on the battery like using the windows.. its quite strange.

 

[JLBMP5]

Im not saying my problem is your problem but when my alternator was going out my headlights would flicker. I had the alternator tested when it was on the car and running at advanced auto and it was outputting low voltage. it was enough to keep engine running and give the battery power but it was on its way out the door. I also had an underdrive pulley on the car and that just made my charging system even smaller.

 

[jdowden1]

alright well i'll get that checked out tomorrow after work, it would make sense, i guess i'll check the battery too but that seems to be fine, hasn't ever seemed weak.

 

[MSP-2003.5]

anytime you roll up the windows it will dim your lights. This may be a dumb question, but do you have a system in the car? Bass jamming will flicker your headlights just like window controls. My turbo timer has battery volt meter on it. it doesn't take much for the headlights to dim

 

[mgerst1]

how old is your battery? it may be on its way out

 

[mazdaspeedp]

i think the only real solution to the flicker is to get a new grounding kit but its not really worth it for parts and time just to fix a small thing like that

 

[DarkAngel]

Well before coming to any conclusion you need to check four things.

1. Battery -- any Auto parts Store can load test your battery and check performance
2. Corrosion/Acid build up on your connections. ( white build up on the connections/green copper wires )
3. Alternator -- any Auto parts Store can also test the output of your alternator
4. All connections are solid going to your headlights -- visual and hand on inspection by you.

If you have a volt meter then you can test 1 and 3 yourself.

 

[jdowden1]

anytime you roll up the windows it will dim your lights. This may be a dumb question, but do you have a system in the car? Bass jamming will flicker your headlights just like window controls. My turbo timer has battery volt meter on it. it doesn't take much for the headlights to dim

yeah i realize that and yes i have a system, a small one but it does dim the headlights when really turned up, but my problem is occuring at normal operating conditions.

 

[jdowden1]

how old is your battery? it may be on its way out

i have no idea because it came with the car when ibought it a few months ago.

Well before coming to any conclusion you need to check four things.

1. Battery -- any Auto parts Store can load test your battery and check performance
2. Corrosion/Acid build up on your connections. ( white build up on the connections/green copper wires )
3. Alternator -- any Auto parts Store can also test the output of your alternator
4. All connections are solid going to your headlights -- visual and hand on inspection by you.

If you have a volt meter then you can test 1 and 3 yourself.

and i will check this as soon as i have some free time. and ill let you know the results

 

[mgerst1]

i have no idea because it came with the car when ibought it a few months ago.



and i will check this as soon as i have some free time. and ill let you know the results

I had the same symptoms and a few days later the battery died

 

[boostfreak]

check and see if your housing is loose mine flickered and i got a new head light cause i hit a deer but dont you go hit a deer lol but do see if your silver housing is loose.

 

[99ProtegeKV]

just installed my H.I.D.s and they flicker.. im guessin i should get a relay kit for them? would that solve the problem, and no i dont have a system in the car yet.