Car Lights Dying Off

Herrick

I was driving home from Ennis earlier and noticed the power of the headlights and the lighting inside the car started to diminish down to nothing. It looked almost as if the headlights were going out, I dont think its simply a headlight issues as the lit up display on the speedometer was dying off in the same way.

I first thought it was down to the heaters being on full force to defog the windscreen and when I turned it off, the power of the lights inside and out picked up. I talking a serious amount here, the light severity went down so much it was worse than dims.

I'm a bit worried to say the least, I'd like to know whats going on in case the car would die in the middle of the road or something some night and not even be able to turn on the lights for warning.

Would it be a battery or maybe dynamo issues?

My car is a 01 Ford Focus.

Nforce

Sounds like the alternator is dying. You might get away with new brushes. Any warning lights on the dash?...ie the charging light coming on?

Herrick

Nforce wrote: »

Sounds like the alternator is dying. You might get away with new brushes. Any warning lights on the dash?...ie the charging light coming on?

Thanks Nforce, no, no warning lights were on at all.

anthony4335

Could be the alternator as nforce said or the battery might be shot. If the battery light appears on the dash as you are driving this would indicate that the issue may be the alternator. make sure you carry a fully charged phone and your insurances breakdown recovery phone number , and may be some roadside emergency lights.

marryabroad

its def the altenator. happened to me. get it done asap.

Try and find an auto spark local to you, they'll sort it no bother, I'd agree it seems to be the alternator rather than the battery.

granturismo

As suggested already, its probably the alternator. It happened to me a few times, lights dimmed,radio died - then the third time the engine died. Alternator replaced and all ok.

salamander27

My wife's focus does exactly the same if it's driven through large puddles. Don't really know why only a bit of revving sorts it out usually with a squeak of the alt belt. Thinking about it, it may be water causing the belt to slip or your own belt wearing out or loose.

wellboytoo

Alternater

Herrick

Thanks for the help all. Funnily enough salamander27, I had gone through a few large puddles toady But I tried it there a while ago and it was fine after a bit of revving.

I'll still get it looked at though.