Optima Red Top Battery....why do my lights still dim when.....
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 6,569
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From: Redacted
Optima Red Top Battery....why do my lights still dim when.....
...I put the windows down???? My stock battery crapped out and left me high and dry over at base today. Decided to skip the jump start process and just got a ride to the local Pep Boys and picked up an Optima Red top. Hooked it up, everything works fine. But my lights till dim when I lower the windows. Is this something I just have to live with?? I thought that would stop when I replaced the battery.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,411
Likes: 1
From: Wilmington NC
Re: Optima Red Top Battery....why do my lights still dim when..... (FLYNAVY30)
...I put the windows down???? My stock battery crapped out and left me high and dry over at base today. Decided to skip the jump start process and just got a ride to the local Pep Boys and picked up an Optima Red top. Hooked it up, everything works fine. But my lights till dim when I lower the windows. Is this something I just have to live with?? I thought that would stop when I replaced the battery.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 733
Likes: 0
From: Fort Lauderdale FL
Re: Optima Red Top Battery....why do my lights still dim when..... (Richin Chicago)
might be alternator as well. Ever since I've had my car the headlights have dimmed for an instant when my brakelights come on, that sort of thing...I was always :skep: about it, but never had any other ill effects. Then in the process of what turned out to be a bad starter I found out that the alternator was pumping like 77 amps instead of the expected/normal 115 or whatever it was. They quoted me a price to replace the alternator, but I decided it wasn't worth a few hundred bucks to keep the headlights from occasionally dimming, and said teh heck with it.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 405
Likes: 46
From: Manahawkin NJ
Re: Optima Red Top Battery....why do my lights still dim when..... (FLYNAVY30)
Mine also does that. Bought car new and did it from day 1. I have the red top but it still does it. I just learned to ignore the momentary dimming.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,389
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From: Raceland Louisiana
Re: Optima Red Top Battery....why do my lights still dim when..... (Lestat52)
same here.. just looks like another "normal" problem gm fails to notice... I hope it dont get worse when I install my stereo
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: houston tx
Re: Optima Red Top Battery....why do my lights still dim when..... (TGrits10)
might be alternator as well. Ever since I've had my car the headlights have dimmed for an instant when my brakelights come on, that sort of thing...I was always :skep: about it, but never had any other ill effects. Then in the process of what turned out to be a bad starter I found out that the alternator was pumping like 77 amps instead of the expected/normal 115 or whatever it was. They quoted me a price to replace the alternator, but I decided it wasn't worth a few hundred bucks to keep the headlights from occasionally dimming, and said teh heck with it.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 424
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From: Va, Beach VA
Re: Optima Red Top Battery....why do my lights still dim when..... (TLewis4095)
More than likely the alternator. Not that it is defective but not enough amperage to cover the electrical load.GM was right on the edge with this one.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Re: Optima Red Top Battery....why do my lights still dim when..... (Rays Vet)
It can also be caused by a higher than normal resistance in the wiring from the source (alternator/battery). A little more current draw through the resistor will drop the voltage to the rest of the system and you will get some flickering as the current starts and stops. Check the battery cables for corrosion. They might be slightly undersized also. Since the alternator isn't set up for remote sensing it can't adjust for voltage differences at the end of a long wire.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,037
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From: Richmond Texas
Re: Optima Red Top Battery....why do my lights still dim when..... (Bill Dearborn)
My truck, my dad's car, and my mom's truck all do it. Done it since new. Everycar we've ever owned has done it. No matter what make or model.
Burning Brakes
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From: "In a van down by the river" CO
Re: Optima Red Top Battery....why do my lights still dim when..... (Rays Vet)
More than likely the alternator. Not that it is defective but not enough amperage to cover the electrical load.GM was right on the edge with this one.
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Re: Optima Red Top Battery....why do my lights still dim when..... (FLYNAVY30)
Could be your alternator also. If it is not putting out a sufficient charge, the lights will dim. It may dim slightly because you are putting more drain on the system when you use the windows.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,269
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From: Richmond Ca
Re: Optima Red Top Battery....why do my lights still dim when..... (lowdowndirty)
More than likely the alternator. Not that it is defective but not enough amperage to cover the electrical load.GM was right on the edge with this one.
:iagree: This is not due to the battery.
:iagree: This is not due to the battery.
Don't worry about it. :cheers:
