Thu 6 Dec 2007 19:50 2006 1.6 - Headlight Dimming when revs drop. - hillman1 {p}

Hi there, Recently got a 56 plate Scenic 1.6 and have a query. When driving at night there is a noticable dip in the headlights when I change gear and the engine revs drop. At the same time the blower also slows noticeably. Does anyone have any suggestions. The headlights dropping are quite noticable, especially as a fair bit of my journey is through winding country lanes. If for example I am sitting stationary they drop and as soon as I touch the throttle a little they brighten again. It is beginning to be annoying! I had a 2.0 Grand Scenic several years back for about a year and it didn't do it with that. Many thanks, Nick Edited by Pugugly {P} on 08/12/2007 at 13:34 Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Fri 7 Dec 2007 13:16 2006 1.6 - Headlight Dipping - Snakey

My 55 Megane 1.6 hatchback does this quite noticeably as well. Perhaps the 1.6 isn't powerful enough to keep everything running at once. Its especially noticeable when in an underground car park - people sometimes think you're flashing your lights at them. I'm sure a Renault dealer will tell you 'they all do that'! To be fair, my Toyota Avensis 1.8 used to do the same as well, although not quite as bad Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Fri 7 Dec 2007 17:39 2006 1.6 - Headlight Dipping - Altea Ego

Renault 1.6 scenics have a pathetically small (in amperes) battery and alternator. This shows up exactly as you have seen. ------ < Ulla> Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Sat 8 Dec 2007 08:23 2006 1.6 - Headlight Dipping - hillman1 {p}

Thnks for the suggestions. I figured that if I took it to a dealer they would respond with the 'they all do that' comment. Is there a way that this could be rectified relatively easily/inexpensively? I guess I couldn't get them to do anything under warranty... Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Sat 8 Dec 2007 13:28 2006 1.6 - Headlight Dipping - jc2

Dimming,not dipping I presume. Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Sat 8 Dec 2007 13:33 2006 1.6 - Headlight Dipping - Pugugly {P}

I was itching to edit that so I've done it now - I thought it was just me ! Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Sat 8 Dec 2007 13:45 2006 1.6 - Headlight Dipping - Screwloose

This should have a 110 or 150 amp alternator and a 60A/hr battery. It must be worth getting the charging system checked for volt drop, as there may be a loose connexion or bad joint in the power distribution network - I've had troubles with the battery terminal mounted fuses. Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Sat 8 Dec 2007 21:16 2006 1.6 - Headlight Dipping - hillman1 {p}

Hi All, the lights do dim, not dip- the 'm' and 'p' are close on the keyboard after all ;-) Thanks for advice- will book it in and see what they say. Cheers. Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Tue 18 Dec 2007 20:47 2006 1.6 - Headlight Dipping - hillman1 {p}

Car booked in for 3rd Jan at the local dealer. Will see if the service team are better than the sales team. I once went to speak to them about a car and was ignored for half an hour. Subsequently bought from a different dealer further away. Anyway, I digress. Just these last few mornings the car has been a little reluctant to start in the morning. The engine seems to turn over fine, but the engine will run for about a second before stopping. 2nd time is fine. Does anyone think this may be connected? Will obviously keep an eye on that and will get them to look at it as well, but just thought I would ask people here who seem to have a better understanding on the mechanics of cars than a lot of garages do! Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Tue 18 Dec 2007 21:01 2006 1.6 - Headlight Dipping - Screwloose

There might be a connexion between dim lights and bad running post-start in the idle speed department. Maybe getting the idle control reworked might help. Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Tue 18 Dec 2007 21:14 2006 1.6 - Headlight Dipping - Glaikit Wee Scunner {P}

Was that the soonest they could check it? I'd not tolerate a delay of more than a week. Impatience is my middle name. Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Tue 18 Dec 2007 22:06 2006 1.6 - Headlight Dipping - milkyjoe

i was under the impression that "wee" was your middle name Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Tue 18 Dec 2007 22:42 2006 1.6 - Headlight Dipping - hillman1 {p}

They could have seen it a bit sooner, but not on days that were good for me. I am away for much of the Christmas/New Year break. Thanks for all the suggestions. Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Thu 3 Jan 2008 13:18 2006 1.6 - Headlight Dipping - hillman1 {p}

Car went in this morning as planned and had a call a while ago to say there was a fault with the alternator and they would be fitting a new one under warranty- will be doing it next week. Maybe I'll have to rethink about this particular dealer, although I may reserve the right to do that entirely until they have done the job! Cheers All, Nick Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Thu 10 Jan 2008 15:59 2006 1.6 - Headlight Dipping - hillman1 {p}

Car went in again yesterday and I received a call at 10.30 to say that it was done and ready for collection. Apparantly the problem was the alternator was only pushing out 13.5v on idle and should have been 14.2v. Anyway, the problem has gone, and the service I received on both occasions was, I think, very good. Kept fully informed of progress both times, and collected a fully valeted car both times as well. I have written a letter of thanks to the Service Director... I was that impressed! I assume I can say the dealer was Davis of Sevenoaks Reply | Report as offensive | Link