Dimming lights, no mods. (cont)

1/2 Scottish · Post by **1/2 Scottish** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 10:43 pm

So I have this classic dimming lights problem ever since i bought the car at 12k miles. The problem is similar to http://forum.2gn.org/viewtopic.php?t=54 ... ing+lights but not as bad. When i use anything power my headlights simply dim a little. Windows, brakes, and maybe the stock stereo if i crank it really loud. I have no mods that would cause this. I read in the above post to check my ground? And the possibility of a dying alt. I hardly believe it could be a dying alternator in my case. Any more suggestions would be fly. Oh and by the way i restarted the thread because the other one is in the wrong section.

ZeroChad · Post by **ZeroChad** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 10:48 pm

Really you'd wanna use a voltmeter to fully diagnose the problem.

Possibly the Battery, Alternator or Grounds

The easiest thing to do is to unscrew the bolts on the core support to the right and left of your grill. Clean off the contact area and use sand paper to get rid of any paint. If the problem still persists, I'd be more lenient on blaming the battery. Are you still at 20,000 like in your garage?

Like the other post says though. It probably just is your flux capacitor going bad!

Donkeypuncher · Post by **Donkeypuncher** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 2:11 am

Your best bet is to have the battery checked for free at your local autozone. If it's not bad, pull the alternator and have that checked at autozone for free. If that isn't bad, check the ground and power wires. If they are good upgrade to the late model neon higher amp alternator.

Craz1000 · Post by **Craz1000** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 1:00 pm

every 30k miles your supposed to adjust the alternator tention.

the ground lines should be fine if you havent moded anything unless they have gotten freyed or cut, but the connections should be good.

the most likely cause is a alternator thats at the end of its life. use a volt meter and run all lights and the A/C the voltage should not drop below 13v

1/2 Scottish · Post by **1/2 Scottish** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 1:35 pm

Yeah i am at 23k now and the problem hasn't gotten worse or better, but I will try these things out. You think Kragen will check the stuff for free after removal too? Man i wish i had a delorean

danman132x · Post by **danman132x** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 12:31 pm

Also check and sand down the ground right below the power distribution center in the engine bay. That's a main ground, and used to make my lights flickr also. I cleaned it up well, added some 4gauge ground wire, and it has helped out a lot.

ZeroChad · Post by **ZeroChad** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 2:05 pm

danman132x wrote:Also check and sand down the ground right below the power distribution center in the engine bay. That's a main ground, and used to make my lights flickr also. I cleaned it up well, added some 4gauge ground wire, and it has helped out a lot.

Yup. Rereading my post I guess I didn't really make myselft clear. The head lights are grounded to the core support which is connected to the engine ground by the fuse box.

Swordfish2Cowboy · Post by **Swordfish2Cowboy** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 5:31 am

I sanded all mine down, and my lights still dim. I'll see about adjusting the alternator tension.

1/2 Scottish · Post by **1/2 Scottish** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 3:07 pm

From what I have read/heard, this problem happens to MANY cars...just to throw that out there.

Swordfish2Cowboy · Post by **Swordfish2Cowboy** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 10:07 pm

Wow, that blue text really is hard to read at first glance. It's doable, but you can't just skim. Wow.

Craz1000 · Post by **Craz1000** » Sat May 03, 2008 6:26 pm

the best way to fix this is to get a '05 neon alternator. just call dodge or advanced and say your car was made after may of '05. the neons have an 80A alternator but the may '05+ neons have a 120a

1/2 Scottish · Post by **1/2 Scottish** » Mon May 05, 2008 3:51 pm

Yeah tried sanding down grounds, terminals, and alternator tension was fine, didn't see an improvement, so you are probably right craz