Author Topic: lights dimming with heater on  (Read 7990 times)

guest7224

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Re: lights dimming with heater on
« Reply #15 on: November 11, 2017, 10:40:23 AM »
Do not worry about Hijacking the post, the more the merrier!

Just contacted the garage I bought it from, only the gearbox and engine are covered on the warranty, so looks like I have to fix it.  Other than the fuses and wires / connections to check, is there anything else I need to do?

Is it a fault with the regulator for the alternator for example?  Or would this show up with the alternator and battery test that my local garage did?

Thanks
Aimee ;)

culzean

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Re: lights dimming with heater on
« Reply #16 on: November 11, 2017, 11:07:48 AM »
https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/fit-engine-modifications-motor-swaps-ecu-tuning/72844-headlights-dim-significantly-when-fans-kick-2.html

Seems this is a common problem,  people say installing a larger earth cable can cure it,  also that installing LED bulbs can do it.   Others (including myself) also thing a failing battery can cause it because when aircon clicks in both of the radiator fans and the clutch solenoid draw power at the same time, which is quite a few amps - the battery acts as the load leveling device for your electrical system.

I have fitted one of these earth braids between negative battery terminal and clutch slave cylinder bolt on every car I have ever had,  I don't trust the puny corroded body to engine cables car makers fit. longest (60cm) one does it,  better to be longer than shorter as extra length makes little difference to resistance or price, the main thing is it is a direct cable from battery to engine and cuts out all those corroded joints where copper cables bolt to steel bodywork.  If you don't want to disturb the battery negative terminal clamp bolt you will need a 6mm nut and washer to add the lug to end of existing clamp bolt and just pop other end under clutch slave cylinder bolt head ( will post some piccies later when I get round to it).

Note-- have added a PDF with photos,  I have an extra black lead bolted on the battery terminal,  this is a 'battery tender' SAE plug fused lead as a quick plug-in to top up battery if needed,  I have the same leads on my motorbikes so it made sense to use them on car.  The Halfords braid can be bolted where the black lead now sits, at end of existing bolt and I only  moved braid when I fitted the charging lead and plug.  Other end is bolted to clutch cylinder by the blue pipe,  just make sure you cable clip the braid out of the way of radiator fan - it does not need insulating as it is at same potential as car body and engine (battery negative).

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SearchRouter?langId=-1&storeId=10001&catalogId=10151&action=search&srch=earth+braid

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« Last Edit: November 11, 2017, 12:15:30 PM by culzean »
Some people will only consider you an expert if they agree with your point of view or advice,  when you give them advice they don't like they consider you an idiot

guest5770

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Re: lights dimming with heater on
« Reply #17 on: November 11, 2017, 01:24:52 PM »
The garage you bought it from can't just wash their hands of it by saying "it isn't covered by the warranty"
Any fault that develops in a used car within six months of purchase is deemed to have been present when you bought it.

I would suggest doing some research into the law before you go back to the selling dealer

https://www.theaa.com/car-buying/legal-rights

guest7224

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Re: lights dimming with heater on
« Reply #18 on: November 11, 2017, 05:20:29 PM »
Wow, thankyou to you both, I will call the garage and quote the sales of goods to them and see what happens, and if no good then will get out my spanners and do the fix that was suggested.

That is a great help

Aimee ;D

guest7224

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Re: lights dimming with heater on
« Reply #19 on: November 11, 2017, 08:17:37 PM »
On another note, I am puzzled by the black piece of plastic stuck on my front window, behind the rear view mirror, what the heck is it?

And can anyone recommend a child car seat (group 2/3) for a honda jazz 58 reg?

thanks Aimee

davegreen55

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Re: lights dimming with heater on
« Reply #20 on: November 11, 2017, 09:32:54 PM »
I haven't got my jazz now, but as far as I remember the black plastic moulding is the housing for the automatic wipers rain sensor.

Jocko

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Re: lights dimming with heater on
« Reply #21 on: November 11, 2017, 09:59:28 PM »
The Mk 3 I had on loan had all the sensors for lights and wipers there.

guest5079

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Re: lights dimming with heater on
« Reply #22 on: November 12, 2017, 03:15:34 PM »
It is a strange thing that in my garage days when cars had a choke cable, one immediate pointer to the sort of problems caused by a poor earth, or battery connection was the choke cable used to get hot.
Now with manufacturers cutting pennies off the parts that make up a modern car it is no wonder that unless you keep on top of maintenance problems arise. Not major but minor problems that can cause may hem.
Yes the black bit on the screen is the sensor for the lights and wipers.
Lastly, go back to the dealer and if necessary put the sale of goods act where he might not like it but as you area Lady you won't be as coarse as us blokes
I have had problems with BT but when I threatened Ofcom, even I was surprised at the different attitude. You paid good money make them stand by the vehicle they sold you, good luck

guest7224

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Re: lights dimming with heater on
« Reply #23 on: November 12, 2017, 06:15:43 PM »
Well I do not often get called a lady!  I am not afraid of a car salesman, I have taken on bigger than him before and won, he will be getting a call tomorrow.  Hopefully quoted the act to him will make him behave.

Thanks everyone, and at least I know what the black thing is, as it was driving me mad wondering.

Rhysfjf

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Re: lights dimming with heater on
« Reply #24 on: December 01, 2017, 12:06:12 PM »
https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/fit-engine-modifications-motor-swaps-ecu-tuning/72844-headlights-dim-significantly-when-fans-kick-2.html

Note-- have added a PDF with photos,  I have an extra black lead bolted on the battery terminal,  this is a 'battery tender' SAE plug fused lead as a quick plug-in to top up battery if needed,  I have the same leads on my motorbikes so it made sense to use them on car.  The Halfords braid can be bolted where the black lead now sits, at end of existing bolt and I only  moved braid when I fitted the charging lead and plug.  Other end is bolted to clutch cylinder by the blue pipe,  just make sure you cable clip the braid out of the way of radiator fan - it does not need insulating as it is at same potential as car body and engine (battery negative).

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SearchRouter?langId=-1&storeId=10001&catalogId=10151&action=search&srch=earth+braid

Hiya, my first post on here - recently got my 2013 Jazz Si and I've noticed the dimming of the dipped beam as mentioned by others on this post - I thought I was going mad, my girlfriend didn't notice it but I was adamant they were dimming now and again, so it's massively reassuring I'm not mental!

I currently have Osram Nightbreaker Unlimited on the car and I was wondering whether the braided cable solved the issue of the bulbs dimming? Otherwise I'm currently looking into LED bulbs, but after seeing some friends using LED bulbs I'm not convinced about the light output and I'm not prepared to spend silly money on bulbs (for reference I think up to about £30 is fair - just my opinion).

Also I'm presuming the Jazz isn't Canbus equipped if others are running LEDS without any issues?


culzean

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Re: lights dimming with heater on
« Reply #25 on: December 01, 2017, 01:26:41 PM »
https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/fit-engine-modifications-motor-swaps-ecu-tuning/72844-headlights-dim-significantly-when-fans-kick-2.html

Note-- have added a PDF with photos,  I have an extra black lead bolted on the battery terminal,  this is a 'battery tender' SAE plug fused lead as a quick plug-in to top up battery if needed,  I have the same leads on my motorbikes so it made sense to use them on car.  The Halfords braid can be bolted where the black lead now sits, at end of existing bolt and I only  moved braid when I fitted the charging lead and plug.  Other end is bolted to clutch cylinder by the blue pipe,  just make sure you cable clip the braid out of the way of radiator fan - it does not need insulating as it is at same potential as car body and engine (battery negative).

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SearchRouter?langId=-1&storeId=10001&catalogId=10151&action=search&srch=earth+braid

Hiya, my first post on here - recently got my 2013 Jazz Si and I've noticed the dimming of the dipped beam as mentioned by others on this post - I thought I was going mad, my girlfriend didn't notice it but I was adamant they were dimming now and again, so it's massively reassuring I'm not mental!

I currently have Osram Nightbreaker Unlimited on the car and I was wondering whether the braided cable solved the issue of the bulbs dimming? Otherwise I'm currently looking into LED bulbs, but after seeing some friends using LED bulbs I'm not convinced about the light output and I'm not prepared to spend silly money on bulbs (for reference I think up to about £30 is fair - just my opinion).

Also I'm presuming the Jazz isn't Canbus equipped if others are running LEDS without any issues?

cannot comment if braided cable has stopped beam dimming as I never noticed it,  the main reason I fitted braided earth cable was that I did not like the look of the small and rusty earth points that Honda fitted as OEM, and to give better current path straight from battery negative to the engine (starter motor).

Jazz is not canbus,  although canbus compatible power supplies are available,  trouble is most 'canbus compatible' bulbs have to draw the same power as the equivalent filament bulb to 'fool' the system that a bulb is not failed (which is 5 amps per bulb for H4 bulbs) so you lose a big part of benefit of LED which is much lower current (about 1 amp for LED).

https://clubjazz.org/forum/index.php?topic=8738.msg53034#msg53034

Have a good look at this thread, there are some youtube videos on different styles of LED headlight bulbs,  beam patterns etc. etc.  as well as some photographs I posted of the beam pattern and light output of the classicarleds bulbs fitted to my wifes GE Jazz,  I also have H1 and H7 bulbs in my Civic and H4 in my motorbike.

 I am more than happy with beam pattern and light output from my LED bulbs, they have made night driving much easier and I am more than happy to drive on dipped lights during the daytime knowing that it is not 'wearing out' the LED bulb.  They have Phillips Z-ES chips which are the same size and shape as filament in an OEM bulb, they do not boast silly output like some bulbs which have horrible glaring or wasteful  (and totally illegal) beam patterns.  I used to fit the best filament bulbs I could buy,  Osram nightbreaker, Phillips Xtreme brite,  but the LED bulbs are a revelation.

https://www.classiccarleds.co.uk/collections/headlight-led-bulbs/products/latest-led-headlights-h4-philips-z-es-hi-lo-beam-conversion-9-32v

Some people will only consider you an expert if they agree with your point of view or advice,  when you give them advice they don't like they consider you an idiot

Jocko

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Re: lights dimming with heater on
« Reply #26 on: December 01, 2017, 03:47:11 PM »
Otherwise I'm currently looking into LED bulbs,
Be aware, it is illegal to fit LED bulbs in light clusters not certified to use them. This pertains to all exterior lights. Basically, if your vehicle didn't come with LED lights then it is technically against the law to fit them!

culzean

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Re: lights dimming with heater on
« Reply #27 on: December 01, 2017, 05:04:20 PM »
Otherwise I'm currently looking into LED bulbs,
Be aware, it is illegal to fit LED bulbs in light clusters not certified to use them. This pertains to all exterior lights. Basically, if your vehicle didn't come with LED lights then it is technically against the law to fit them!

The beam pattern on my wifes Jazz and my Civic is less dazzling than with original filament lamps because the beam control / cutoff is much better, I have suffered greatly in the past from other drivers with cheap / overpowered HID and LED 'conversions' and would not inflict the same on others.  I will be leaving them in for MOT - the whole point of the latest generation Phillips chipped lamps is that the chips are exactly same size as the filaments in the normal H4 bulbs,  and in exactly the same position in reflector.   The reason HID is illegal is that the light source is entirely different shape and in wrong position in reflector,  also most LED bulbs had wrong size LED chips and are not at focal point of reflector.    It is technically against the law,  but when the LED bulb is better than filament and developed by the largest headlight maker in the world as a replacement for filament bulb in a filament reflector - well what can you say.

A lot of bulbs are marked ' not for road use' or 'for off-road use only'  because the beam pattern is totally illegal and dazzling.
« Last Edit: December 01, 2017, 05:07:34 PM by culzean »
Some people will only consider you an expert if they agree with your point of view or advice,  when you give them advice they don't like they consider you an idiot

Rhysfjf

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Re: lights dimming with heater on
« Reply #28 on: December 12, 2017, 11:55:59 AM »
Thanks for the info, have looked into the suggested threads and done a bit of research.

I spoke to my dad who is a mechanic and it's not an uncommon thing apparently. He seems to think that when we have selected the front windshield and feet position on blowers that it's that which causes the belt to run and therefore draws power and dims the lights - I will look into it further on Thursday when I take the Jazz down to the workshop for a once over.

I'm considering LED bulbs and have watched numerous videos on them now, appreciate that you're meant to have special lamps for them, but I have no issues with that providing they give the correct cut off and don't dazzle other road users. On previous cars I always ran HID's but I don't fancy running them in reflector lamps on the Jazz.

To be continued...

culzean

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Re: lights dimming with heater on
« Reply #29 on: December 12, 2017, 12:13:25 PM »
Thanks for the info, have looked into the suggested threads and done a bit of research.

I spoke to my dad who is a mechanic and it's not an uncommon thing apparently. He seems to think that when we have selected the front windshield and feet position on blowers that it's that which causes the belt to run and therefore draws power and dims the lights - I will look into it further on Thursday when I take the Jazz down to the workshop for a once over.

I'm considering LED bulbs and have watched numerous videos on them now, appreciate that you're meant to have special lamps for them, but I have no issues with that providing they give the correct cut off and don't dazzle other road users. On previous cars I always ran HID's but I don't fancy running them in reflector lamps on the Jazz.

To be continued...

There are many LED headlight bulbs available but Phillips developed the Z-ES chips to be same size as filaments in the standard bulbs,  this is the only way to get correct beam in reflector designed for filament bulbs.  There are some videos in link I posted (repeated below)

Testing LED bulbs


different styles of LED chips and heatsinks, including latest Philips chips


both pretty long videos but well worth a look as they can save you making costly mistake. 

The H4 bulbs from classicarleds use phillips Z-ES chips and are cheapest I have seen,  been running them almost 6 months now and I am very happy with them - as are a few other on this forum who bit the bullet and bought them.

There are some fake Phillips Z-ES chips on the market - I first bought a single bulb for my motorbike to check quality out - looked at chips with magnifying glass to check same as it should be.

http://www.ledoauto.com/blog/index.php/2017/02/21/beware-of-fake-luxeon-zes-led-headlight-big-potential-danger-to-your-car/

http://www.ledoauto.com/blog/index.php/2016/09/05/dear-our-esteem-clients/
 
« Last Edit: December 12, 2017, 12:20:04 PM by culzean »
Some people will only consider you an expert if they agree with your point of view or advice,  when you give them advice they don't like they consider you an idiot

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