weak alternator???
 

Hey all,

I've had my new pro for about two months now and have noticed something that bugs me a little. It seems like my lights dim every once in a while when driving the car, but it's barely noticeable. Also, when I have the fan on (weather is getting colder now) it seems to die down every once in a while and then pick back up again. This is all stuff that you have to be paying attention to to notice it, but I have been lately. Is this normal for proteges?

Other than that, I love my protege. Gas mileage could be better, and the cold engine rattle still bothers me. But, I love the handling, not a single rattle, and im overall impressed with mazda, and find myself a new mazda fan. All I gotta do is wait three years and it'll be turbo time :)

I've noticed it as well. I honestly don't think it's anything to be concerned about.

Which setting did u put it on? If it was on the Foot,and windshield,then i think it's the AC that's kicking in. Cause no matter if the AC botton was pressed or not the AC will turn on to defog. I hate this too

Very true. I forgot to mention that. Every time the AC clutch engages, the lights will dim for a brief period (quick flicker).

I think this is fairly normal. It happens on my '93, and my old '90 Camry. The one annoying thing though, is on my camry, sometimes it will take power away from the brakes for a second. So if you're at a light and have the brakes down just enough to hold it and the A/C or engine fan engages the car will creak forward for a second...(on an auto of course).

I don't think it does this on my mom's volvo though... hmm? I dunno, maybe the alternator has more extra kick.

I have noticed that problem as well and that the lights dim when I use my power windows. I checked with my dealer and he says that it is perfectly normal on many cars also.

But I was wondering...

If I installed grounding wires would that help minimize the power loss enough to make a difference? Anyone have any input into this?

Grounding wires to where? If you mean from the battery to the chassis, probably not.

Check out www.sunautomobile.com for more information on grounding.

I know what grounding is....but from where to where (point A to point B) are you talking about grounding?

do you "shIfT MAd kWiK yO ?" :)

I've never heard anything like this before ??

actually i've noticed this too... i had the fan (turned A/C off) set to 1, and lights on, sitting at a red, with some tunes bumpin, and every time the heavy bass kicked in i saw the my headlights flicker/dim from the reflection of the car in front of me... the really weird part is that none of the interior lighting would dim or flicker...

and of course I shIfT MAd kWiK yO!!! I drive an auto!!!:shift: :p