[Z06] headlight dimming????
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,394
Likes: 6
From: Melbourne FL
headlight dimming????
My car is completely stock and occasionally at night I notice to headlights gets dimmer then they return to normal a second or two later. It ocurs most often when changing between gears but also on occasion while just cruising.
Has anyone else experienced this? Or is my alternator/voltage regulator faulty?
Anyone with an underdrive pulley set experience low voltage/charging issues?
Has anyone else experienced this? Or is my alternator/voltage regulator faulty?
Anyone with an underdrive pulley set experience low voltage/charging issues?
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 114
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From: Osceola Ne
Re: headlight dimming???? (Tod2K)
both my 99 and 01 coupe did the same thing I really never found out why I the dealer couldn't find anything wrong either. I haven't driven the 03 Z06 enough at night to see if it does it to.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 438
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From: Daytona Beach Florida
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Re: headlight dimming???? (Z06ufgrad2002)
I get it too and same with the instrument lighting (especially noticeable with the radio).
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 16,681
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From: Redacted
Re: headlight dimming???? (Z06ufgrad2002)
The charging system in the C5 is very slow to respond. Lights will dim momentarily anytime a large electrical load turns on, like the AC compressor, rear defog, when the windows hit the stops, brake lights come on and so on.
Check your battery connections to be sure, but it might be chalked up as normal for C5.
Check your battery connections to be sure, but it might be chalked up as normal for C5.
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Drifting
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: Washington Township OH
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
Re: headlight dimming???? (Z06ufgrad2002)
You can try searching the archives. I believe the last time this was going around it was traced to the air pump cycling off and on.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 7,788
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From: Winchester TN
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'11
Re: headlight dimming???? (Z06ufgrad2002)
Hi Z06ufgrad2002 -
I notice an electronic "brown-out" of the lights occasionally - I hesitate to take it in for this alone, but I will mention it in the spring when I take the Z in for some other little annoyances -
let us know if you resolve the issue -
best regards -
mqqn
I notice an electronic "brown-out" of the lights occasionally - I hesitate to take it in for this alone, but I will mention it in the spring when I take the Z in for some other little annoyances -
let us know if you resolve the issue -
best regards -
mqqn
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 155
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From: Lighthouse Point FL
Re: headlight dimming???? (Z06ufgrad2002)
As I have had almost every issue regarding the Z06, the dimming issue is a daily. Mine occurs when I hit the brakes typically. Apparently Chevy is aware of the problem but there is no fix according to them. It is possible that a better battery will help. My alternator whines upon acceleration so I believe that there is an overall electrical problem anyways. On occasion my whole display goes completely dark for a split second too. :confused:
Deeb
Deeb
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 460
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From: Daytona Beach FL
Re: headlight dimming???? (hiyield)
My alternator whines upon acceleration so I believe that there is an overall electrical problem anyways. On occasion my whole display goes completely dark for a split second too. :confused:
Deeb
Deeb
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 155
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From: Lighthouse Point FL
Re: headlight dimming???? (Waterfreak)
Yeah-it was a real joy the first time the display went dark-driving on the 95 and I though my car was shutting down. Pretty much know that there is an alternator problem since they just replaced the battery and still same problem. I told them that if I get stranded I'm going to track down Lou Bachrodt at home to pick me up... yeah sure.
Just another Z06 oddity to throw on the heap--- :skep:
Dee
Just another Z06 oddity to throw on the heap--- :skep:
Dee
Racer
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 391
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From: Cincinnati Ohio
Re: headlight dimming???? (kgrif)
I have also heard that if you change the battery the problem will go away, but if i remember correctly the Z06 has a special battery to reduce weight, at least that's what they said in the video!
:cheers:
:cheers:
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,633
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From: Dallas TX
Re: headlight dimming???? (Z06ufgrad2002)
I Notice a slight dimming from time to time with both of mine, and both have Optima Red Tops.
Never had the display go black though. If that ever happened at the wrong time, it would make for some adrenalin production :crazy:
Never had the display go black though. If that ever happened at the wrong time, it would make for some adrenalin production :crazy:
Racer
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 317
Likes: 116
From: Port Orange, FL
Re: headlight dimming???? (wt2ga)
Where did you get your battery and did you install it yourself? Were there any "fit" issues with putting it in the corvette? Will it fit in a 2003 Z06?
Replace the stock battery with an Optima Red Top and the trouble goes away.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,394
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From: Melbourne FL
Re: headlight dimming???? (Tod2K)
OK I took to the dealer to have them look at it and they said basically it a GM problem that not only applies to the C5 but other models as well. Seems as tho GM just doesn't have a handle on the charging system. Guess I will have to bite the bullet and try a Optima Red Top at my expense :cry