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headlights dim when two window switches pushed
Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 11:05 pm
by Dragonsm
2005 Vibe AWDRarely drive it due to it being my wife's car. The other evening I had to make a late night run to Walmart for some medicine....Sounded like a window was down a bit...(my daughter sometimes likes to mess with the window switches)I pulled up on both back window switches first...then pulled up on both fronts....(one window was a little down) However, when I pulled up on both, I noticed the headlights/fogs dim a little. (easy to tell due to the darkness)I didn't get a chance that night to test the output on the alternator...maybe tonight.....however due to some long recent road trips with the car in my mind I am not thinking that would be the issue. Thinking the battery might be getting weak....probably need to find some time to bring it in and get it tested.Anyone ever run across this?Steve
Re: headlights dim when two window switches pushed (Dragonsm)
Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 11:11 pm
by lovemyraffe
This is a common thing with the Vibe. There isn't anything wrong with it. It's just underpowered.
Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 11:29 pm
by dayday
Common on every vehicle I've owned.
Re: headlights dim when two window switches pushed
Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 11:50 pm
by Dragonsm
Thanks for the response.....at least it is one less thing to have to juggle into the schedule this week.Trying to think back to my last "car" and whether or not it did it....it's been a while since I have driven anything but a pickup.Steve
Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2011 12:39 am
by Salsa Guy
My 05 Trix does it also. Matter of fact so does my minivan. However my truck doesn't....but it doesn't have power windows...LOL
Re: (Salsa Guy)
Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2011 4:48 am
by vibenvy
Yep, this happens on both our 09 Vibe GTs.
Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2011 12:48 pm
by jayman2009
yup its due to a high draw for window motors. even my old 2000 chev did it
Re: (jayman2009)
Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2011 2:57 pm
by Serj22
big draw, little battery. dumping an oversized battery in there fixed the problem on my last 2 cars...
Re: headlights dim when two window switches pushed (Dragonsm)
Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2011 7:24 pm
by 06pvibe
If it's like my Mazda, the manual states that you should only activate one switch at a time or you might overtax the circuit and blow the fuse.Common symptom.
Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2011 12:49 am
by LarryKingsShoes
Could this also be fixed by upgrading the Big 3?It seems like pretty common practice for people with powerful audio systems to upgrade to thicker wire (0/2 gauge welding cable seems common on mobile audio forums) with great results. If the dimming is enough of a concern, it may be worth the time to research how it's done. I'm planning on doing the Big 3 upgrade eventually and would likely use at least 2 gauge, but maybe even 0/1 or 0/2, for the sake of only wanting to do it once; may as well do it with some huge wire to begin with. If you're wife is only running a stock system, perhaps something like 2 gauge would be able to make a marked difference. I have no experience in the area so I can't say for sure, though.
Re: (LarryKingsShoes)
Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2011 7:37 am
by Serj22
Bigger battery is all that is necessary. Doesn't put much more load on the alt. and it solves lots of issues. I'm about to just dump a larger battery somewhere else and ditch the baby one that came with it.
Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2011 8:56 am
by Salsa Guy
X2! A bigger battery will carry the short term load on the system. The Alternators are not the best part of these cars.