Optima Red Top Battery....why do my lights still dim when.....
03-02-2004, 12:21 AM
#1
Le Mans Master
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Optima Red Top Battery....why do my lights still dim when.....
...I put the windows down???? My stock battery crapped out and left me high and dry over at base today. Decided to skip the jump start process and just got a ride to the local Pep Boys and picked up an Optima Red top. Hooked it up, everything works fine. But my lights till dim when I lower the windows. Is this something I just have to live with?? I thought that would stop when I replaced the battery.
03-02-2004, 03:48 AM
#3
Safety Car
Re: Optima Red Top Battery....why do my lights still dim when..... (FLYNAVY30)
...I put the windows down???? My stock battery crapped out and left me high and dry over at base today. Decided to skip the jump start process and just got a ride to the local Pep Boys and picked up an Optima Red top. Hooked it up, everything works fine. But my lights till dim when I lower the windows. Is this something I just have to live with?? I thought that would stop when I replaced the battery.
03-02-2004, 04:04 AM
#4
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Re: Optima Red Top Battery....why do my lights still dim when..... (Richin Chicago)
might be alternator as well. Ever since I've had my car the headlights have dimmed for an instant when my brakelights come on, that sort of thing...I was always :skep: about it, but never had any other ill effects. Then in the process of what turned out to be a bad starter I found out that the alternator was pumping like 77 amps instead of the expected/normal 115 or whatever it was. They quoted me a price to replace the alternator, but I decided it wasn't worth a few hundred bucks to keep the headlights from occasionally dimming, and said teh heck with it.
03-02-2004, 08:58 AM
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Re: Optima Red Top Battery....why do my lights still dim when..... (FLYNAVY30)
Mine does it also, before and after optima yellow top install from day one I purchased it new. :confused:
03-02-2004, 09:19 AM
#6
Racer
Re: Optima Red Top Battery....why do my lights still dim when..... (FLYNAVY30)
Mine also does that. Bought car new and did it from day 1. I have the red top but it still does it. I just learned to ignore the momentary dimming.
03-02-2004, 09:41 AM
#7
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Re: Optima Red Top Battery....why do my lights still dim when..... (Lestat52)
same here.. just looks like another "normal" problem gm fails to notice... I hope it dont get worse when I install my stereo
03-02-2004, 09:57 AM
#8
Le Mans Master
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Re: Optima Red Top Battery....why do my lights still dim when..... (BayouVette)
cool....as long as its "normal"
03-02-2004, 10:47 AM
#9
Burning Brakes
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Re: Optima Red Top Battery....why do my lights still dim when..... (FLYNAVY30)
I had the same problem with the stock battery, and also with the red top. Not sure if there is any way to fix it.
03-02-2004, 10:48 AM
#10
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Re: Optima Red Top Battery....why do my lights still dim when..... (TGrits10)
might be alternator as well. Ever since I've had my car the headlights have dimmed for an instant when my brakelights come on, that sort of thing...I was always :skep: about it, but never had any other ill effects. Then in the process of what turned out to be a bad starter I found out that the alternator was pumping like 77 amps instead of the expected/normal 115 or whatever it was. They quoted me a price to replace the alternator, but I decided it wasn't worth a few hundred bucks to keep the headlights from occasionally dimming, and said teh heck with it.
03-02-2004, 05:35 PM
#11
Le Mans Master
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Re: Optima Red Top Battery....why do my lights still dim when..... (Fleet 1)
Comon problem...I have it as well. Getting worse...I'm sure it is a faulty altenator. Easy swap. :cheers:
03-02-2004, 07:19 PM
#12
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Re: Optima Red Top Battery....why do my lights still dim when..... (TLewis4095)
More than likely the alternator. Not that it is defective but not enough amperage to cover the electrical load.GM was right on the edge with this one.
03-03-2004, 01:10 AM
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Re: Optima Red Top Battery....why do my lights still dim when..... (Rays Vet)
It can also be caused by a higher than normal resistance in the wiring from the source (alternator/battery). A little more current draw through the resistor will drop the voltage to the rest of the system and you will get some flickering as the current starts and stops. Check the battery cables for corrosion. They might be slightly undersized also. Since the alternator isn't set up for remote sensing it can't adjust for voltage differences at the end of a long wire.
Bill
Bill
Bill
Bill
03-03-2004, 01:53 AM
#14
Burning Brakes
Re: Optima Red Top Battery....why do my lights still dim when..... (Bill Dearborn)
My truck, my dad's car, and my mom's truck all do it. Done it since new. Everycar we've ever owned has done it. No matter what make or model.
03-03-2004, 03:50 AM
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Re: Optima Red Top Battery....why do my lights still dim when..... (Rays Vet)
More than likely the alternator. Not that it is defective but not enough amperage to cover the electrical load.GM was right on the edge with this one.
03-03-2004, 06:28 AM
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Re: Optima Red Top Battery....why do my lights still dim when..... (FLYNAVY30)
Could be your alternator also. If it is not putting out a sufficient charge, the lights will dim. It may dim slightly because you are putting more drain on the system when you use the windows.
03-03-2004, 05:15 PM
#18
Le Mans Master
Re: Optima Red Top Battery....why do my lights still dim when..... (lowdowndirty)
More than likely the alternator. Not that it is defective but not enough amperage to cover the electrical load.GM was right on the edge with this one.
:iagree: This is not due to the battery.
:iagree: This is not due to the battery.
Don't worry about it. :cheers:
