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Author Topic: Help, car wouldn't start, now all the interior bulbs are dim?!  (Read 3185 times)

Offline white91

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Help, car wouldn't start, now all the interior bulbs are dim?!
« on: December 17, 2015, 07:04:19 pm »
Filled up today, went to start the car after and it wouldn't turn over, just a relay clicking noise.

Got it jump started, now all the interior LEDs are really dim and flicker?

Tested the battery 13.8v whilst running and 11.9v whist off?

Anybody ever had anything like this before?

Offline r5gtt

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Re: Help, car wouldn't start, now all the interior bulbs are dim?!
« Reply #1 on: December 17, 2015, 07:13:26 pm »
Time for battery replacement???.


Offline white91

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Re: Help, car wouldn't start, now all the interior bulbs are dim?!
« Reply #2 on: December 17, 2015, 07:20:58 pm »
That was my first thought, but it doesn't explain why the interior lights are dim with the engine running? The footwell and red leds in the switches are unaffected

Offline r5gtt

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Re: Help, car wouldn't start, now all the interior bulbs are dim?!
« Reply #3 on: December 17, 2015, 08:46:28 pm »
All cars have a battery light on the dash and if the alternator is faulty, this light will flicker on and off dimly or even stay on continuously if alternator regulator is goosed. I can't explain why your interior light is dim. Have you checked your main headlights and wipers to see if they are working properly?.

Offline white91

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Re: Help, car wouldn't start, now all the interior bulbs are dim?!
« Reply #4 on: December 17, 2015, 09:20:46 pm »
No warning lights on the dash, headlights work perfectly, wipers work fine, never had any issues before either?

Maybe I should get the battery load tested? Maybe I should check all the LEDs?


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Offline r5gtt

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Re: Help, car wouldn't start, now all the interior bulbs are dim?!
« Reply #5 on: December 17, 2015, 09:33:32 pm »
Led's lol better check those as ive have one fail on me and they do go dim.

Cheep Chinese poo  :booty:

Offline Flyingscotsman

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Re: Help, car wouldn't start, now all the interior bulbs are dim?!
« Reply #6 on: December 18, 2015, 10:03:25 am »
I'd replace the battery first off, unless battery is less than 2 years old.

Offline Scottymon

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Re: Help, car wouldn't start, now all the interior bulbs are dim?!
« Reply #7 on: December 18, 2015, 10:15:00 am »
A garage should be able to tell you whether the system is charging or not.  Do you do a lot of short journeys? Where you're depleting more than you're putting back?

If the battery is holding charge.  I'd check the pulley on the Alternator, they can become stuck, it should freewheel one way and lock another.... Open ended spanner on the idler pull towards you and lockout with an Allen key through slot, remove belt (inspect and put mark for direction), disconnect battery (do this first actually, lol), place something into alternator to stop fins from spinning, and turn the pulley, as above it should lock one way and freewheel the other, if its locking both ways or freewheeling both ways, it needs replacing.

An impact gun is helpful for removing the pulley but not totally necessary.  You can get refurbished Alternators on ebay with a new pulley on, refitting the alternator isn't too bad, just a bit access limited.

Offline janivee

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Re: Help, car wouldn't start, now all the interior bulbs are dim?!
« Reply #8 on: December 18, 2015, 12:10:15 pm »
New (good) battery will show about 12,5V when car is not running.
When car is running with good battery it will be around 14,5V and then it is also charging.

Offline r5gtt

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Re: Help, car wouldn't start, now all the interior bulbs are dim?!
« Reply #9 on: December 18, 2015, 01:55:35 pm »
Did a golf mk6 alternator pulley and you need a special sized 33 spline tool to remove the pulley with an air gun.

Offline Scottymon

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Re: Help, car wouldn't start, now all the interior bulbs are dim?!
« Reply #10 on: December 18, 2015, 02:19:04 pm »
Did a golf mk6 alternator pulley and you need a special sized 33 spline tool to remove the pulley with an air gun.

Dead right bud, same on the Mk5 for removal (I think it's a 33 tooth spline for the 5, such a long time ago).

Offline r5gtt

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Re: Help, car wouldn't start, now all the interior bulbs are dim?!
« Reply #11 on: December 18, 2015, 03:19:04 pm »
Did a golf mk6 alternator pulley and you need a special sized 33 spline tool to remove the pulley with an air gun.

Dead right bud, same on the Mk5 for removal (I think it's a 33 tooth spline for the 5, such a long time ago).
Yes all the same 33 spline  :happy2:

Offline white91

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Re: Help, car wouldn't start, now all the interior bulbs are dim?!
« Reply #12 on: December 18, 2015, 09:05:03 pm »
Got the battery checked and it was roughly 50% effective, ordered a Varta should be here Monday


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Offline white91

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Re: Help, car wouldn't start, now all the interior bulbs are dim?!
« Reply #13 on: December 24, 2015, 04:29:23 pm »
New Varta battery is much better, starts much easier. Also out of coincidence the interior light problem was the bloody fuse failing!


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Offline r5gtt

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Re: Help, car wouldn't start, now all the interior bulbs are dim?!
« Reply #14 on: December 24, 2015, 04:56:20 pm »
Well at least it's all sorted not  :happy2: