electrical may be fscked = lights randomly dim

[dwoloz]

my car may have some weird electrical issue
im hoping that it can be easily fixed and perhaps fix some other issues im having


main thing that leads me to believe there is an electrical issue is that the headlights change intensity randomly; they will dim and then get bright again
the interior dome light also does the same thing
the dash clock has done the same thing as well


anything i should be checking?
suggestions?


thanks

[NoSloCB7]

Is your car throwing a CEL? If so determine what code it is. It may possibly be a code 20 Which is the Electric Load Detector. The ELD detects excess amperage draw on the electrical circuits that govern the headlights, fuel injection, charging system etc. If your car is not throwing a CEL, you can rule out the ELD. The next thing to check is you alternator. Test the alternator to see if it is functioning properly. A faulty alternator will casue a drain on your electrical system.

[GrayCar]

I would say check your chassis ground, the big fat cable from your battery to the body.

[dwoloz]

the alternator has been checked recently and its working fine
no cel is showing

ill take a look at the ground

[NoSloCB7]

Yeah, I agree with GrayCar, check the ground

[dwoloz]

oh and also, when i turn on the rear defroster, there is no a noticeable dim of the lights for an instant the button is pressed

[trendyexr]

My car also has the lights flickering as I drive (headlights, dashlings, etc)... When I idle at 800 rpm, there's no flicker.. when I have my fan on full, it is like at half intensity at idle, and full intensity when I put my foot on the gas. Is this normal, or do I have a problem?

[NoSloCB7]

No electrical accessories shouldn't be flickering. At idle, a propoerly functioning alternator should be producing 13 to 14 volts. Under driving conditions, it should be producing 15 to 16 volts. If you have a lot of accessories on at one time you will notice dimmed lights when at idle. There should be no flickering.

[GrayCar]

It's pretty normal for cars our age to have lights get dim when you turn accessories on.

Parts get worn, circuits get tired.

You may even notice idle dip a bit when you turn on your radio, fan, radiator fan, etc.

It's pretty normal and considering all the systems involved, outside of replacing them all there really is no cure.

However, if your lights are flickering constantly and the dimming does not coincide with a specific event or the dimming does not go away immediately, then you have a problem to fix.

[evol90accord]

turn your stereo with those 8000 watt subs down!

[dwoloz]

here are the grounds




the small ground close to the battery looks fine but the big ground that goes to the lower chasis has its insulation stripped about 5 inches and the wire strands are all spread out (you can sorta see in the picture). there appears to be a bit of rust as well
is that normal?

[evol90accord]

thats what mine looked like before I replaced it (actually mine was frayed). Captain Obvious would like to point out that frayed and/or corroded wires are BAD.

Get yourself to an audio express (or any other car stereo installation place) and buy 3 ft of 4 gauge wire and one ring connector for it. Autozone sells nice battery terminals for like 2.50 a piece. Have fun. Oh yeah, SOLDER the ring terminal onto the wire (use a torch). Crimping it will not work, its too thick.

I was having problems starting my car so I did this.... it might help your electrical problem, too.

[dwoloz]

seems like i have to remove the radiator just to get to that spot

howd you get in there to have good access?


and isnt that wire bigger than 4 gauge
i thought it was 2 or 0

[evol90accord]

It is bigger than 4g, but thats all you need. You can go bigger if you want to feel safe, but you'll have a harder time finding the wire (plus its more expensive). Most places only carry up to 8g and its hard to find 4, so imagine how much harder it is to locate 0. 4g is plenty.

I just got in there with a really long extension. There are a couple plastic connectors that hold the positive (starter) wire to the ground wire. One of them just unclips really easy, the other is a bracket mounted to the engine... I took my batter out to reach it better. I also have a short ram intake with all my stock airbox stuff removed, so there's quite a bit of space.

[GrayCar]

You can buy a complete ground cable at Autozone or Checkers or whatever. Save yourself the hassle of making a new one.

If you want to check it out, park with something near in front, turn on your lights, open your hood and reach down in there with your hand and wiggle the bastard. Lights should flicker.

Careful you don't break it though.

Oh, and make sure your car is not running. Fingers work better on the hand than on the floor.