Light issue

[pintonite]

Do you guys notice that the dome lights, reading lights, and front lights flicker when the radiator fan turns on? What could thsi be? I don't see any reason why these lights should dim and flicker at all.

[MisterT]

Let me guess you have a 2001 + Pro? I have heard people talk about it including myself. Put a stereo in it and the shit dims! I know mine is partly do to having Class A amps which are highest in sound quality, but you pay for it by it's inefficiency. It draws current causing lights to dim:eek: (kind of like that), but not that obvious. I heard it's the way that they are wired and the ECU that controls them is of poor quality. I ran 4 gauge wire to alt., battery, fuse box, have a 4 gauge groundkit, deep cycle battery, and a stiffening cap, and still the have the dimming even at moderate levels. Not much you can do about it, just a normal thing:rolleyes:

[brucelee]

this isn't about interior lights, but the headlights. i dunno if anyone else gets this...at night with the headlights on, sometimes when i step on the gas, let up, turn the ac on, or even when just idling, the headlight flickers for an instant. you can't tell so much, but it just dims for a fraction of a second. otherwise it's the normal brightness.
is this supposed to happen? or does this have to do with the battery? i was wondering about the battery since starting the car isn't as quick as other cars. is this a p5 thing?

[nitelite]

yeah, i see a split milla second dimness aswell with my headlights. i dont know what causes it, but for now its not a big issue. if someone figures it out, please post

[pintonite]

Actually I have a 2003 Protege LX bone stock. The lights really flicker alot and dim alot. I'm pretty sure it is a problem, but I was wondering if anyone else has this issue. It will only dim when the radiator fan turns on (which happens alot at idle). I don't even have to have the stereo on or the AC on for it to do it. The only thing that i can compare it to is if you get a power surge at home and you notice your lights dim and flicker for a second. It just doesn't seem right that the reading lights should dim and flicker, especially at idle, when they are most likely to get used.

[nitelite]

yeah mine is also the 2003 lx but i have only noticed it on the head lights. maybe its a wire not completely grounded or something. but my lights dont flicker, they just dim. when i take my car in to get my accessories on it, i will talk to them about it.

[nitelite]

okay check this out! i just went over to another forum and there was a guy that kept having issues with his alternator. i really dont feel like creating another accnt on another forum to ask him about his lights, but i do wonder if it might be some kind of issue with the alternator?

[DiS]

I got stock 2003 Pro LX. Same thing. Its just the battery doesnt supply enough power along with alternator. Thats about it.

Im sure if you will get a new battery like, Diehard or Optima red or yellow top, problem will go away.

[MisterT]

1st MP3 told me that it's the ECU and poor wiring management of the headlights, if it does it when compressor comes on, it's no biggy. As far as a Optima battery, well I have one similar with 1000 CCAs and the lights will flicker when the AC is turned on. I even rewired shit as mentioned before, and that even makes the lights flicker still. Not much you can do with it. It won't hurt anything since it is just a millisecond, but if you have a system, it's best to turn it way down or off a few minutes before getting home to allow battery to recharge (that is if you are listening to it loud before hand).

I notice too, that those with 2001+ Pro's seem to have the problems more so than 2000 and down models. I guess they use a different ECU and wiring system.

[DiS]

MisterT is right. Well, I also have 1997 Nissan Maxima, and it does the same thing. It could be the alternator wiring, since i got new battery in there.

[freesurfer]

I've noticed the exact same problem with my 2003 ES. It 'll happen just about anytime under any condition, I thought it was all in my head until my wife noticed the same damn thing one night while we were out cruising. I'm going to call the dealership and see if they know anything...:confused: I'll post what I find.

[ahb11m]

ok if you put in a battery with a higher CCA rating than your current it should help ... a bit

whats happening is the current is being drawn, then the electrical system wakes up and says "more power" which is then supplied by the alternator, and the current is stepped up.

if your dimming, and staying dimmed, then you will need to think about a larger alternator, in which you may as well get a new high current batt..

misterT - have you considered a second battery in the trunk? sounds like you have a hefty system, when you pump it it will drain the second batt, and then go for the first if the engine is running... basically, if ya have the system down, your second battery should be able to charge (but this relies on you doing trips generally over 20 minutes at a go)