subjfd Posted January 16, 2006 Share Posted January 16, 2006 Hi all, I have noticed that on my car, the electrical intensity varies depending on whether or not I am driving. For example, at idle, my headlights, and interior lights will be a little dimmer than once I am driving. Nothing too bad, but still able to notice. I have a 2.2 Legacy 1993 Non Turbo, stick shift. BTW, I do have a brand spanking new battery, and am able to start at - 25 degree weather no problem. Thanks in advance ! Cheers JF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vic/se Posted January 17, 2006 Share Posted January 17, 2006 It happens when I apply the brakes........it's quite normal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chef Posted January 17, 2006 Share Posted January 17, 2006 Quite normal, has happened several cars that I've owned. If there was a problem it wouldn't likely be the battery anyways, it would be the alternator (e.g. if the dimming was severe). When the engine is running above idle the alternator produces more power, and is able to more than meet the needs of he accessories. when at idle, the alternator is more taxed, and less power is available for the accessories. That's it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subjfd Posted January 17, 2006 Author Share Posted January 17, 2006 Thanks, It never happened to my previous cars, but I wasnt overly worried. I guess that my biggest fear was that the alternator or the voltage regulator was off... In any case, thanks a lot ! JF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chef Posted January 17, 2006 Share Posted January 17, 2006 Since I've only noted it in older cars, perhaps it is a sign of a somewhat weakened alternator, but as long as it is a mild effect I don't think there's a problem. mine has been doing this since i bought it, and my battery charges fine. Thanks, It never happened to my previous cars, but I wasnt overly worried. I guess that my biggest fear was that the alternator or the voltage regulator was off... In any case, thanks a lot ! JF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 Lucky Texan Posted January 17, 2006 Share Posted January 17, 2006 Hi all, I have noticed that on my car, the electrical intensity varies depending on whether or not I am driving. For example, at idle, my headlights, and interior lights will be a little dimmer than once I am driving. Nothing too bad, but still able to notice. I have a 2.2 Legacy 1993 Non Turbo, stick shift. BTW, I do have a brand spanking new battery, and am able to start at - 25 degree weather no problem. Thanks in advance ! Cheers JF I suppose, if you bought the car used, someone COULD have put an 'underdrive' pulley on it. But, yeah, many cars I've had will do that at least a little. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookie Posted January 17, 2006 Share Posted January 17, 2006 I use the four way flashers a lot waiting for my wife in SF. It always affects the rest of the lights. Normal for one of these. By the way we should establish a sell by date for these alternators. How long do they usually last? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lawsonmh15 Posted January 17, 2006 Share Posted January 17, 2006 Hi all, I have noticed that on my car, the electrical intensity varies depending on whether or not I am driving. For example, at idle, my headlights, and interior lights will be a little dimmer than once I am driving. Nothing too bad, but still able to notice. I have a 2.2 Legacy 1993 Non Turbo, stick shift. BTW, I do have a brand spanking new battery, and am able to start at - 25 degree weather no problem. Thanks in advance ! Cheers JF Checklist: Grounding - http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=42606&page=1&pp=10 Do you hear an electrical hum coming from the area of your alternator? If so... Gone. Lastly - Battery, Battery cables, and terminals. VERY Cheap and EASY to replace the battery cables. Good luck, let us know what you find. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chef Posted January 18, 2006 Share Posted January 18, 2006 Dude, thanks much for this tidbit - I am making this my next weekend project! Checklist: Grounding - http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=42606&page=1&pp=10 Do you hear an electrical hum coming from the area of your alternator? If so... Gone. Lastly - Battery, Battery cables, and terminals. VERY Cheap and EASY to replace the battery cables. Good luck, let us know what you find. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookie Posted January 19, 2006 Share Posted January 19, 2006 Do you guys clean and or replace your battery cable once a year or so? I clean the battery too when I'm doing this service. I like to clean both ends of the cables and the spot where the cable bolts on. Here in no salt country we have it a bit easier on corrosion, but I am sure bigger cables and a good ground will be helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chef Posted January 19, 2006 Share Posted January 19, 2006 Mine is a brand-new battery, and I cleaned the cables well with a wire brush before attaching them. That darn new 1000 amp 875 CCA battery sure makes that new champion starter start the car with authority! But unfortunately does nothing for the lowered intensity. No matter, grounds will be cleaned soon and possibly even rewired. With red, just to tick everyone off Do you guys clean and or replace your battery cable once a year or so? I clean the battery too when I'm doing this service. I like to clean both ends of the cables and the spot where the cable bolts on. Here in no salt country we have it a bit easier on corrosion, but I am sure bigger cables and a good ground will be helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookie Posted January 19, 2006 Share Posted January 19, 2006 Let us know the results! If I can run a few feet of gound cable and stop my reading light from flickering it would be worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaggywerewolf Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 So I've been reading some of these threads regarding replacing of the battery and ground contact cleaning.....but I was wondering what brand of batteries everyone uses in their Subarus? The '03 Outback I bought a month ago looks like it still has the OEM, but we've always used the Sears line of batteries in our other cars when it came time to replace them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookie Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 I've been using Interstate since I could buy them at discount, but my guy retired so probably Autozone. A lot of them are made by the same makers with different stickers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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