The joy of economy cars. I have a 2011 Mazda 3s Sport in which I've noticed a peculiar--peculiarity. Whenever I turn the wheel, use the power-windows, have the blower going, and even when I'm pressing the brake, I noticed the headlights dim. It's much more noticeable on the high-beams, probably because they're brighter.

At speed, I'm too busy driving to notice if the wheel causes the voltage drop, but when I use the windows, I can see the headlights dim during then too.

I've also noticed this occur to the interior lights as well. The front dome lights will dim slightly, as well as the DSC-Off light, and the passenger-seatbelt light. I don't discern any detectable dimming in the primary instrument cluster.

A little poking around seems to show this to be normal. Will a high-output alternator make a difference? Is there a way to cheat the computer to prevent this at all? Or is this not normal and should I have it taken in?

Answers much appreciated!

~k

 

I think you have a bad alternator or electrical connection. This car isn't that much of an econobox to have an underpowered electrical system
Head to a battery place (autozone / advance) and ask for a battery test, that'll check the charging system too.