Headlights & Interior Lights Dimmed (Part II) - Civic GLI Australian Model
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From: Perth, Other, ZEBRA
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Headlights & Interior Lights Dimmed (Part II) - Civic GLI Australian Model
Dear all - especially Australians who own a new 2002 Civic GLI,
This is a follow up to an earlier post about my problem with lights dimming on my Auto GLI sedan.
My Honda dealers and Honda Australia have not be able to help me in anyways or explain to why this is happening.
Problem : When i take my foot off the accelerator pedal, I would regularly notice the headlights and interiro dash light dimming briefly.
How to replicate the problem :
* Drive along a dark street to see the problem more prominently
* Air Con is turned OFF
* Rear Window demister is turned OFF
* Headlights ON
* Drive at about 40 to 60KM/hour, when the car is in gear, take your foot off the pedal completely. About 90% of the time, the headlights and the dashboard light will dim for half a sec (before the tachometer needle lowers), and brightens up again.
New findings : One day i discovered that by turning the rear demister ON, the problem goes away!!! As soon as I turn the demister OFF, the problem returns immediately.
Here is a quote from Honda Australia :
"I have raised your concerns with my associates within out National Technical Department who have advised that the circumstances you have described are in fact a normal operating characteristic of the vehicle and no adjustment can be made to alter this operation."
What more can I do? I will write another letter to them expressing my disappointment. If I have know about this "dimming" is normal. I would not have bought a new Civic. Don't get me wrong, i do like my new car but this strange dimming is very annoying to my driving pleasure.
If there are anyone out there who is technical with car, would you kindly explain to me why the dimming problem goes away if i have my rear demister turned ON!?
This is quite stressing to me and I thank you all for your support and replies.
If there are any Australian readers out there, I urge you to test it and let me know if there is a problem with your car too. The loan car which I have driven demonstrated the same characteristic.
Thank you and drive safely!
This is a follow up to an earlier post about my problem with lights dimming on my Auto GLI sedan.
My Honda dealers and Honda Australia have not be able to help me in anyways or explain to why this is happening.
Problem : When i take my foot off the accelerator pedal, I would regularly notice the headlights and interiro dash light dimming briefly.
How to replicate the problem :
* Drive along a dark street to see the problem more prominently
* Air Con is turned OFF
* Rear Window demister is turned OFF
* Headlights ON
* Drive at about 40 to 60KM/hour, when the car is in gear, take your foot off the pedal completely. About 90% of the time, the headlights and the dashboard light will dim for half a sec (before the tachometer needle lowers), and brightens up again.
New findings : One day i discovered that by turning the rear demister ON, the problem goes away!!! As soon as I turn the demister OFF, the problem returns immediately.
Here is a quote from Honda Australia :
"I have raised your concerns with my associates within out National Technical Department who have advised that the circumstances you have described are in fact a normal operating characteristic of the vehicle and no adjustment can be made to alter this operation."
What more can I do? I will write another letter to them expressing my disappointment. If I have know about this "dimming" is normal. I would not have bought a new Civic. Don't get me wrong, i do like my new car but this strange dimming is very annoying to my driving pleasure.
If there are anyone out there who is technical with car, would you kindly explain to me why the dimming problem goes away if i have my rear demister turned ON!?
This is quite stressing to me and I thank you all for your support and replies.
If there are any Australian readers out there, I urge you to test it and let me know if there is a problem with your car too. The loan car which I have driven demonstrated the same characteristic.
Thank you and drive safely!
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Joined: May 2002
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From: Mexico City, Other, ZEBRA
Rep Power: 0 I used to have that same problem with an old ford mustang. when accelerating the car´s interior lights got brighter, then when you are iddle they dim down.
The problem was related to the alternator and the battery, though it was nothing to worry about. Even though this problem happened to a v8 car I know its very common in cheap entry level cars, which the civic is not supposed to be.
I would check the alternator.
The problem was related to the alternator and the battery, though it was nothing to worry about. Even though this problem happened to a v8 car I know its very common in cheap entry level cars, which the civic is not supposed to be.
I would check the alternator.
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From: Perth, Other, ZEBRA
Rep Power: 0 My dimming problem is only a brief flash dim as soon as i take the foot off the accelerator.
I also found the dimming will start to occur after the car has reached normal temperature (as i was monitoring the temperatur gauge).
I don't know what could have caused it. One thing for sure, as soon as i turn on the rear demister, everything is perfect! no dimming.
I am writing another letter to Honda Australia. I should also write to Honda Japan too maybe.
I am in a situation where there arn't many 2002 (revised) civic out there yet. Australia released this revised 2020 civic in March this year. I bought it soon after. The version 2 of the 2002 Civic includes ABS breaks, built in antenna, Alloy wheels, plus the damn dimming problem!!
One of my friend's friend is picking up the same car tomorrow, i shall find out if it demonstrates the same frigging problem!
I also found the dimming will start to occur after the car has reached normal temperature (as i was monitoring the temperatur gauge).
I don't know what could have caused it. One thing for sure, as soon as i turn on the rear demister, everything is perfect! no dimming.
I am writing another letter to Honda Australia. I should also write to Honda Japan too maybe.
I am in a situation where there arn't many 2002 (revised) civic out there yet. Australia released this revised 2020 civic in March this year. I bought it soon after. The version 2 of the 2002 Civic includes ABS breaks, built in antenna, Alloy wheels, plus the damn dimming problem!!
One of my friend's friend is picking up the same car tomorrow, i shall find out if it demonstrates the same frigging problem!
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From: perth
Rep Power: 0 I'm in Australia,and I also have the same situation but I think it's nothing to worry about.Mine is a 2k1 civic though.From my experience,some other cars also have the same condition so I don't think it's bad.Try out you friend's car then and keep us posted of the outcome.
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Rep Power: 0 Thanks b390lu for replying!
Well I am yet to hear from my other freind to see if he has the same problem. Do you own an auto Civic GLI?
I haven't been in a 2K1 civic so I am not sure if it happens but you did say it did happen. This problem is just very annoying to me. There are 2 situations where the dimming will not occur:
1. Rear demister turned ON
2. If the temperature of your car hasn't warmed up completely, the dimming will not occur. You will start to notice the dim only after the temperature gauge is pointing to the normal warmed up temperature.
I have written back to Honda Australia and cc a copy to Honda Motor Co. in Japan. Honda Australia said they have forwarded my letter to Honda Japan too. If i had known about this so call normal operation characteristic, i would not have bought another Civic. If Honda Australia can't fix this problem, even though I do like Honda cars very much, this problem has made me think twice before buying another Honda. I am still awaiting responses from Honda Aust/Japan. Hopefully there is a solution. I wish I still have my previous Civic Gli...
Well I am yet to hear from my other freind to see if he has the same problem. Do you own an auto Civic GLI?
I haven't been in a 2K1 civic so I am not sure if it happens but you did say it did happen. This problem is just very annoying to me. There are 2 situations where the dimming will not occur:
1. Rear demister turned ON
2. If the temperature of your car hasn't warmed up completely, the dimming will not occur. You will start to notice the dim only after the temperature gauge is pointing to the normal warmed up temperature.
I have written back to Honda Australia and cc a copy to Honda Motor Co. in Japan. Honda Australia said they have forwarded my letter to Honda Japan too. If i had known about this so call normal operation characteristic, i would not have bought another Civic. If Honda Australia can't fix this problem, even though I do like Honda cars very much, this problem has made me think twice before buying another Honda. I am still awaiting responses from Honda Aust/Japan. Hopefully there is a solution. I wish I still have my previous Civic Gli...
