Manfred Mann - Blinded by the light

[Jack_Keaka]

Hey guys, so driving back from The Hunter Valley on sunday the person who was driving infront of me (poor bastard) had to put up with my headlights in their eyes because they are sitting too high (even though i like it that way ), this is now fixed. however they also informed me that my lights every now and then flicker. i have never, before then, noticed it but since being told find it extremely annoying . i have since noticed that everything with a light on it (interior lights, headlights, tailights etc) flickers. i think its only a new problem that has arisen otherwise i would have noticed before... does anybody know why this is happening?
any help would be great as im reluctant to take it to an auto electrician if its something i can do.

Cheers - Jack

[Kekotic]

What sort of lighting do you have? HID's LED's etc

[Jack_Keaka]

What sort of lighting do you have? HID's LED's etc

mmmm... just the stock setup on an 02'. only thing i have done is swap them over for a white bulb and yellow foggies but that was a year ago. i feel its not to do with the actual headlights but rather something to do more internally. it just effects the headlights i think? wiring is a whole 'nother language to me!

[Kekotic]

it just effects the headlights i think? wiring is a whole 'nother language to me!

You just said above it effects the interior lights and tail lights too.....
which one is it? If it's just the headlights it might be a loose connection, if it's a whole bunch of stuff it could be your alternator or something else.

[Jack_Keaka]

it just effects the headlights i think? wiring is a whole 'nother language to me!

You just said above it effects the interior lights and tail lights too.....
which one is it? If it's just the headlights it might be a loose connection, if it's a whole bunch of stuff it could be your alternator or something else.

yeah it effects all lighting.... alternator hey? might chickity check it out. (googles what an alternator does)

[brainy]

Alternator regulates power and keeps charge in the battery basically.

Test to see what voltage you get on the battery if you have a multimeter.

How old is the battery?
Does the car seem slower to start in the morning?

Brian

[Kekotic]

Dunno if this is good advice, found it on an impreza forum for a similar issue. Might wanna hold off on doing it until someone who knows what they are doing says it's a safe thing to do
Turn your car on and disconnect the battery, if the car turns off it could be the alternator.
I would say use a multimeter but seeing as you don't know what an Alternator is, I'm guessing you wouldn't have one.

[Jack_Keaka]

Alternator regulates power and keeps charge in the battery basically.

Test to see what voltage you get on the battery if you have a multimeter.

How old is the battery?
Does the car seem slower to start in the morning?

Brian

actually it is becoming increasingly harder to start in the morning... i just thought it was the cold weather but now that its spring nothing has changed. may have to get a new alternator. thanks to google i am now educated on alternators. SUBARU HERE I COME! might get a few other things done while im there seeming im WAY over due for service. dont hate me ive been busy

[mihai]

Do you have any amps? Do you play your stereo up loud?

When was your battery replaced? It could be the battery isn't holding enough charge.

The alternator is mainly there to charge the battery, and run the electrics in the car while the car is on. However it only has a limited output, so if you electrics are drawing more than it can output, the rest will be momentarily taken from the battery.

If you are finding it really hard to start in the morning, then I'd be looking at your battery first.

[Jack_Keaka]

cheers everyone for the advice! i knew i could rely on fellow liberty comrades

[Jack_Keaka]

UPDATE: there is good news and there is bad news. good news is the battery is fine. bad news is the battery is fine... fuuuuuu...

[brainy]

how did you determine it to be fine?

What sort of charge is it holding under load?

I guess your next step is to test the alternator.... Possible the brushes are wearing out on the alternator etc etc.

[Jack_Keaka]

how did you determine it to be fine?

What sort of charge is it holding under load?

I guess your next step is to test the alternator.... Possible the brushes are wearing out on the alternator etc etc.

it was a consistant 12.6 volts and have been told thats what it should be? plus the battery has a colour indicator on it too (not that i trust it completely)

so yep next step is testing the alternator! i have a 'mechanics for dummies' book and the entire internet and relatively informed friends which i will take full advantage of love learning how to do stuff on my car!

[mihai]

Do you have am amp installed?

[Jack_Keaka]

Do you have am amp installed?

yeah i do but its rarely used now-a-days. i think im getting old now because my sub is constantly being swapped for my golf clubs
but the amp im sure is not sucking much power, its not very powerful just enough to get some deep bass for when i watch Schwarzenegger movies in the car!
i have been told by the nrma roadside assistance guy that subaru batteries are quite often too small. true? anyway seeing as the weekend is almost upon me i should probably book my car in for service and ill get them to check it out then