lights get slightly brighter on accelerating

  1. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Dec 2002 United Kingdom Posts: 8390
    #1
    standard T-plate VTS.

    Upon accelerating the headlights get slightly brighter, as do the dash lights. It is a very slight change but is perceptible. Also, weirdly, the oil temp gauge sits a bit high but upon accelerating will drop a bit.

    Was thinking pumped alternator, but it seems to be putting out 14.1v at the battery.

    Any ideas?
  2. L-plater Joined: Jan 2014 Hailsham Posts: 47 Citroen Saxo VTR Phase 1
    #2
    I had this exact same problem but it was starter motor strangly mate because it was ducking the life out of everything but when you accelerate you put more power through etc replaced that and been fine ever since (nearly a year now)
  3. Saxperience Addict Joined: Nov 2006 A farm shed in Aylesbury Posts: 14916 Corolla AE86 Peugeot 205 B18C (in bits)
    #3
    Simple to test. Disconnect the starter motor, bump the car and see if it still does it. Also at at standstill rev the engine and see if the car still puts out the correct voltage. See if the voltage regulator is playing up...
  4. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.
    #4
    If the alternator appears to be ok,then check all of your earths.
  5. Regular Poster Joined: Sep 2011 Patras Greece Posts: 352 Ford Focus 2.5 ST Citroen Saxo Vts 16v race car
    #5
    i would go for alternator , it is "nearly" dead that's why when the revs are higher its producing the correct amount of power hence all electrics and instruments working better
  6. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Dec 2002 United Kingdom Posts: 8390
    #6
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by phodd1719 View Post
    I had this exact same problem but it was starter motor strangly mate because it was ducking the life out of everything but when you accelerate you put more power through etc replaced that and been fine ever since (nearly a year now)
    Funny you saying that, the starter was just clicking today and not starting. went back to it later and without doing/changing anything it started fine.

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by KamRacing View Post
    Simple to test. Disconnect the starter motor, bump the car and see if it still does it. Also at at standstill rev the engine and see if the car still puts out the correct voltage. See if the voltage regulator is playing up...
    Might give that a try, would need to join the cables as I seem to remember alts running crazy voltages if they dont see 12v

    The earths seemed fine but ill maybe try cleaning them up anyway.