Rep Power: 0

Hi guys! I just got my 2002 Civic Coupe today. I have a couple of concerns that I am hoping are just normal. When I have the car in park and step out of the car, I can hear the fan kick on and off at an interval of about 6 seconds. The fan is never off for longer than 6 seconds when I have my A/C on. Is this normal?

Also, as soon as the fan does kick on, I notice my entire lighting system in and out of the car go dim. It gradually works its way back up to full power, but it is quite annoying seeing my headlights and interior lights constantly dimming. I was wonder if this was normal? What can be done to fix it? Is my alternator bad?

Any help you guys can give me will be much appreciated!

Thank you!
-Chad-

 
Rep Power: 424

Is it brand new?

The on/off of the compressor is normal, but I don't know about the lights, I tend to shut my car off before I get out of it, so the interior lights are never on with the AC running. I've never seen the panel lights dim because of the compressor, but when the car is parked, the alternator may be running less power. Does it do the same thing while you're moving? or just in park. Sounds like you don't need to make a special trip to the dealer for it, but have them check it when ever you're in there for something else.

 
Rep Power: 0

Well, I do notice the headlights dimming while I am driving....

Thanks for the speedy reply. Do you think there is a problem? I really need a strong alternator because I plan on running dual amps in my car for speakers....

Thanks again!!!
-Chad-

 
Rep Power: 0

the dimming is normal. it notice it on my car from time to time.

btw, welcome to the site [IMG]i/expressions/beer_yum.gif[/IMG]

 
Rep Power: 0

Hey man yes it is normal. ALl it is is the fan kicking on because ur engine is working harder because you have the a/c going. SO the engine is going to heat up faster and plus it is also cooling your a/c radiator with it on. But it is fine dont worry about it. The light dimming is normal too. It is when the fan turns on it starts to use more electricity so the lights will dim and then the car being on it will reguvinate the power to ur car so trust me everything is normal all cars do it. So dont be alarmed.

Edited yeha welcome to the site hope u like it.

 
Rep Power: 0

Thank you so much to both of you. I was hoping someone would give me some words of encouragment!!


-Chad-

 
Rep Power: 0

hey chad a quick word of advice unless u have really cheap gas where u live dont use the a/c all that much because man keeping the a/c on all the time put alot of stress on the engine and it eats up alot of gas. Plus if ur trying to race anyone having the a/c on you will lose horsepower that way because ur engien is using more power to run the a/c then the engine. A little helpful advice.

 
Rep Power: 0

[IMG]i/expressions/beer_yum.gif[/IMG][IMG]i/expressions/beer_yum.gif[/IMG]Welcome to the Site!

 
Rep Power: 0

Sounds good, thanks for the tip! Not much of a racer here, but yeah I would imagine the air would chew up my gas milage!

Thanks....again [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/IMG]

 
Rep Power: 0

Your lights shouldn't dim that much, I run the A/C on my car all the time day and night and never noticed any dimming. I stiill average 34 mpg with the A/C on all the time, it doesn't take much power off the engine.

 
Rep Power: 0

That's normal .....at least I hope it is b/c mine does the same thing

 
Rep Power: 0

don't worry about it, it's all normal. Mine does the same.

 
Rep Power: 0

there is nothing wrong with your car. [IMG]i/expressions/laugh2.gif[/IMG][IMG]i/expressions/laugh2.gif[/IMG][IMG]i/expressions/laugh2.gif[/IMG] its a civic there all kinds of things wrong with the car. no but that is normal for the fan to kick in like that when the ac is on.