Dimming Lights When The Car Slows

lifeguard0321 · 03-26-2007, 09:56 PM

My 2006 Sonata GLS headlights dim along with the entire lighting electrical system when my car slows down past 1500 RPM. Does anybody know why??? I had the car worked on 2 weeks after i got it because of this and they replaced a timing chain thinking this was the problem, but it wasnt.

..MiamiLX.. · 03-26-2007, 10:01 PM

An Electrical Short. Possible nightmare situation.

Or perhaps just a bad Alternator?

Dennis the Mennis · 03-26-2007, 10:47 PM

They ... replaced ... the ... timing ... chain for an electrical problem?!? I hope they didn't change you for the work (no pun intended.)

What's next, replace the muffler b/c the horn don't work?

Bad alternator. Wait a minute ... are you SURE they replaced your timing chain and not your serpentine belt? Even that's a stretch (pun intended.)

Finding a short's NBD. Find another Sonata and use an ammeter in place of each fuse to measure and compare the draw/change, one circuit at a time. No doubt there's one that's WAY different. The drain lieth within that circuit.

mamamia · 03-26-2007, 10:54 PM

I think those people pulled your leg, lifeguard. They didn't do $hit with the timing chain (that's a LOT of work!)... Or maybe they were talking SPANISH and you misunderstood them?

MABuch131 · 03-27-2007, 07:09 AM

Alternator

CJohnston · 03-27-2007, 09:15 AM

Lifeguard...

Just curious, do your lights dim and STAY DIMMED below 1500 rpm? The reason I ask is that I experience somthing similar in that when I remove my foot from the accelerator, and am slowing down (I haven't noted exactly what RPM this happens at), I sometimes notice my lights dim for a fraction of a second, then kick back up to normal intensity. It's just a short dim, less than a second.

Thanks...

terkar · 03-27-2007, 09:45 AM

I bet your battery is starting to go bad. Have had those symptoms on other cars and new battery did the trick.

Klute · 03-27-2007, 09:53 AM

Put car in neutral and rev engine to keep lites bright when slowing down....

Just kidding...sounds like a short.

Pelican · 03-27-2007, 10:15 AM

To me it sounds like a bad battery or analternator that doesn't charge as it should or both. Have it tested be an electrical shop or the dealer.

johnc · 03-27-2007, 10:24 AM

Definately alternator, use a multimetre on the battery terminals to check the resistance and the fluctuations, also open all doors and open and close windows at stationary with car running if the lights almost turn off or windows are slow at open or close then it is definately the alternator...

03-26-2007, 10:47 PM	#3 (permalink)
Dennis the Mennis Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Metro DC "KC" 2006 Sonata 3.3L *PAID FOR* Posts: 1,899	They ... replaced ... the ... timing ... chain for an electrical problem?!? I hope they didn't change you for the work (no pun intended.) What's next, replace the muffler b/c the horn don't work? Bad alternator. Wait a minute ... are you SURE they replaced your timing chain and not your serpentine belt? Even that's a stretch (pun intended.) Finding a short's NBD. Find another Sonata and use an ammeter in place of each fuse to measure and compare the draw/change, one circuit at a time. No doubt there's one that's WAY different. The drain lieth within that circuit. __________________ I hear and I forget, I see and I remember, I do and I understand. Co NF ucius

03-27-2007, 09:53 AM	#8 (permalink)
Klute Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Saint Louis MO 2007 Sonata Limited Posts: 494	Put car in neutral and rev engine to keep lites bright when slowing down.... Just kidding...sounds like a short. __________________ If you ain't first...you are last...

03-26-2007, 09:56 PM	#1 (permalink)
lifeguard0321 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 3	My 2006 Sonata GLS headlights dim along with the entire lighting electrical system when my car slows down past 1500 RPM. Does anybody know why??? I had the car worked on 2 weeks after i got it because of this and they replaced a timing chain thinking this was the problem, but it wasnt.

03-26-2007, 10:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
..MiamiLX.. Banned Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 7,070	An Electrical Short. Possible nightmare situation. Or perhaps just a bad Alternator?

03-26-2007, 10:54 PM	#4 (permalink)
mamamia Banned Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 4,119	I think those people pulled your leg, lifeguard. They didn't do $hit with the timing chain (that's a LOT of work!)... Or maybe they were talking SPANISH and you misunderstood them?

03-27-2007, 07:09 AM	#5 (permalink)
MABuch131 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 258	Alternator

03-27-2007, 09:15 AM	#6 (permalink)
CJohnston Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 74	Lifeguard... Just curious, do your lights dim and STAY DIMMED below 1500 rpm? The reason I ask is that I experience somthing similar in that when I remove my foot from the accelerator, and am slowing down (I haven't noted exactly what RPM this happens at), I sometimes notice my lights dim for a fraction of a second, then kick back up to normal intensity. It's just a short dim, less than a second. Thanks...

03-27-2007, 09:45 AM	#7 (permalink)
terkar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 500	I bet your battery is starting to go bad. Have had those symptoms on other cars and new battery did the trick.

03-27-2007, 10:15 AM	#9 (permalink)
Pelican Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 816	To me it sounds like a bad battery or analternator that doesn't charge as it should or both. Have it tested be an electrical shop or the dealer.

03-27-2007, 10:24 AM	#10 (permalink)
johnc Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 225	Definately alternator, use a multimetre on the battery terminals to check the resistance and the fluctuations, also open all doors and open and close windows at stationary with car running if the lights almost turn off or windows are slow at open or close then it is definately the alternator...

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