lights dim when shifting

**K_garretson23** · 05-07-2011, 06:25 PM

When i shift my all of my lights dim, headlights fogs, as well as interior gauge lights. Is this a sign of a bad battery or alternator? Would replacing either fix the problem. Its not significant it just annoys me. It only happens when the rpms drop during a shift leading me to think its an alternator issue. No other electonics have been added to the car. 02 ws6 btw

**JayTA98** · 05-07-2011, 06:30 PM

Originally Posted by K_garretson23

When i shift my all of my lights dim, headlights fogs, as well as interior gauge lights. Is this a sign of a bad battery or alternator? Would replacing either fix the problem. Its not significant it just annoys me. It only happens when the rpms drop during a shift leading me to think its an alternator issue. No other electonics have been added to the car. 02 ws6 btw

what's your voltage?

**35th-ANV-SS** · 05-07-2011, 07:50 PM

Sounds like your alternator to me.

**K_garretson23** · 05-08-2011, 06:19 AM

voltage is fine but drops with the rpms

**35th-ANV-SS** · 05-08-2011, 06:39 AM

Originally Posted by K_garretson23

voltage is fine but drops with the rpms

You can always pull the alternator and go have it tested. I almost guarantee though that is what it is

Check the wiring on the back side of the alternator to make sure nothing came loose or is corroded first! Also make sure your battery terminals are clean and that you have a good, secure connection at the battery.

Have you recently installed anything new?

**godless-phoenix** · 05-08-2011, 07:25 AM

sort of had a similar problem, replaced the alternator and it fixed it

my lights would sort of flicker with the engine idle, it was really annoying...im glad its gone

**K_garretson23** · 05-08-2011, 09:38 AM

Originally Posted by 35th-ANV-SS

You can always pull the alternator and go have it tested. I almost guarantee though that is what it is

Check the wiring on the back side of the alternator to make sure nothing came loose or is corroded first! Also make sure your battery terminals are clean and that you have a good, secure connection at the battery.

Have you recently installed anything new?

I'll have to check the wires and terminals. Nothing was done electronic wise to the car. All i have done were fog bulbs. Mods to the car are pacesetter longtubes catless magnaflow exhaust and a lid, if that could make a difference?

**justinmc978** · 05-08-2011, 06:03 PM

Originally Posted by K_garretson23

I'll have to check the wires and terminals. Nothing was done electronic wise to the car. All i have done were fog bulbs. Mods to the car are pacesetter longtubes catless magnaflow exhaust and a lid, if that could make a difference?

nope. our cars have notoriously weak alternators, put an underdrive pully on a used factory alt. and you'll have a stobelight effect going on. there are some really good aftermarket products out there, I've also heard some alternators from trucks swap over and are more powerful if you want to stay factory.