lights flicker

[Smee]

ok i have noticed this and i never really saw how bad it was till last night..

if i am sat still and the lights are on.. i tap the accelerator and the lights will flicker. not out but dim a little (like its drawing to much current off the battery)

always done thought it was normal.. but last night i was sat at the traffic lights with the indicator on and i can see my lights dimming with the on off of the indicators.. look at my dash the lights on there do the same and then the air and stereo all the same flickering..

is it normal for a cupra to do this or should i take it back

smee

 

[andythom]

Mine does the headlight part with tapping the accel........but nowt else.

I think only i would notice it.....

 

[Smee]

hmm stupid car...

ill get it looked at lol

Smee

 

[FR-RUSH]

mine does it too. im guessing its something to do with the alternator.

 

[Vicky M]

especially on tickover
just ignore it, it's only the current draw on the alternator. nothing to worry about

 

[andythom]

I don't think its anything major....

Just the Alternator is producing, just enough power....and no more

 

[Smee]

yea but surely thats under strain then and no able to produce the proper power needed

especially if its doing it on indicators

Smee

 

[T. Spark]

Also when u have music on, loud!

Tis fun, its like having them daft undercar neons that flash to ur music, only we get them all round, outside and in for nowt

 

[Mr Cellotape]

Sounds like a volt drop problem

 

[andy_gdon]

ou should also notice a dimming of the lights when you turn the steering wheel. Just a voltage drop, nothing to worry about!!

 

[Nath.]

having an alternator that is calculated to be just sufficient is a good way of keeping load on the engine and fuel consumption down

also I read some time ago about vacuum switches connected to the inlet manifold that disconnect the alternator on full throttle to give a few bhp more

 

[Smee]

update... after reading around i came to the conclusion it was an earth fault.. so i decided today was the day to fix... might of had my mind made up for me when i put the key in to start it and the car switches off completely.

pop the bonnet and start to have a look

thinking i know the problem i start pulling on cables to see what i can find. to say my search lasted more than 5 seconds is an understatement.. this is what i found.

the guys at seat had not done up the earth on the chassie properly. infact i could remove the nut with my fingers. tightened it up and an instant improvement. started up straight away (where as before seem to hesitate) the lights dont seem to flicker eaither

just incase any one else has this problem this might be the cause

Smee

 

[andythom]

mmmm might give it a check....i only getslight flicker....but still will check

 

[BeezerDiesel]

I had the flicker on my old 130 Sport and also my Fabia vRS. It affected the reversing lamps too.

 

[Smee]

thats a typical earth fault... get ur volt metre out

smee