AC/Heater Fault or Feature? In 1.4 car

Mipp · 11th December 2006, 11:48

I am driving Civic 1.4. Everytime when the AC compressor starts the headlights will dim slightly, not much, but enough to notice especially if driving with Hi-beam lights and in complete darkness.

The reason for this is obviously that the compressor needs so much current when starting, but does that happen with your cars?

So is mine broken or is this just poor design?

Bungle · 11th December 2006, 11:50

This has happened on every car I have ever had.
When the compressor kicks in, it dims the lights, just for a second. Seriously, it happens on all cars.
My girlfreind's Ka's lights dim when you do up the windows!

Korkut Varol · 11th December 2006, 12:27

I haven't noticed it actually.. Can it be because I have Xenon headlamps?

Mipp · 11th December 2006, 12:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Korkut Varol

I haven't noticed it actually.. Can it be because I have Xenon headlamps?

Might be. Do you have 1.4 engine?

Korkut Varol · 11th December 2006, 12:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mipp

Might be. Do you have 1.4 engine?

Nope. 1.8

sco77harris · 11th December 2006, 12:59

its a normall kinda thing

Nick7 · 11th December 2006, 13:44

With Xenons you won't notice it.
Reason is Xenon's work as AC voltage (was it 80V?), and have 'ballast' which makes voltage needed from DC power.
For example in my old Civic where I have a bit more powerfull music, when I cranked it, lights would dim a bit when bass hit. When I put Xenons, they never dimmed.

Topcat · 11th December 2006, 16:51

I have noticed this too but the same thing happened on my Ford Focus so I am assuming its normal.

11th December 2006, 11:48	#1 (permalink)
Mipp Valve Cap Join Date: 29th November 2006 Location: Finland Posts: 9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	Fault or Feature? In 1.4 car I am driving Civic 1.4. Everytime when the AC compressor starts the headlights will dim slightly, not much, but enough to notice especially if driving with Hi-beam lights and in complete darkness. The reason for this is obviously that the compressor needs so much current when starting, but does that happen with your cars? So is mine broken or is this just poor design?

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This thread is about: Fault or Feature? In 1.4 car, it's in Bugs, faults and irritations at the Honda Civic forum Civinfo; I am driving Civic 1.4. Everytime when the AC compressor starts the headlights will dim slightly, not much, but enough to notice especially if driving ...

11th December 2006, 11:50	#2 (permalink)
Bungle Rocketship door handle Join Date: 3rd July 2006 Location: SE London/Kent Posts: 1,220 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	This has happened on every car I have ever had. When the compressor kicks in, it dims the lights, just for a second. Seriously, it happens on all cars. My girlfreind's Ka's lights dim when you do up the windows!

11th December 2006, 12:27	#3 (permalink)
Korkut Varol Triangular Exhaust Join Date: 31st October 2006 Location: Ankara, Turkey Posts: 466 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	I haven't noticed it actually.. Can it be because I have Xenon headlamps?

11th December 2006, 12:59	#6 (permalink)
sco77harris Supporter Magic Rear Seat Join Date: 5th June 2006 Location: stanmore london Posts: 978 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	its a normall kinda thing

11th December 2006, 13:44	#7 (permalink)
Nick7 Supporter Triangular Exhaust Join Date: 10th August 2006 Location: Croatia Posts: 451 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post iTrader: (0)	With Xenons you won't notice it. Reason is Xenon's work as AC voltage (was it 80V?), and have 'ballast' which makes voltage needed from DC power. For example in my old Civic where I have a bit more powerfull music, when I cranked it, lights would dim a bit when bass hit. When I put Xenons, they never dimmed.

11th December 2006, 16:51	#8 (permalink)
Topcat Supporter Civinfo guru Join Date: 11th May 2006 Location: Middlesex Posts: 2,757 Thanks: 0 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts iTrader: (0)	I have noticed this too but the same thing happened on my Ford Focus so I am assuming its normal.