Does anyone know why the electrical power would dip when I use the electric windows, or if the ABS breaks hit?

One easy way to see is to stand with your carlights against a wall and then try to raise the windows. The lights will go dimmer as long as you hold the button.

The very same thing happen if you drive and then do a hard break so the ABS/Anti-lock system kick in. Then the lights dim and flicker - but also the car stereo cracks and blinks as it gets to little power.

The car has a new battery (early October 2005), and the car itself has only done 80000 km (49 700 miles). It is a 323F BA 1996 from Sweden.

Is it normal, common, or a "very bad thing™ "?

Sounds like something is drawing more current than the battery could cope with......

My Subs and Amps used to make my lights dim to the time of the music - but a powercap put rest to that.

I'd check get your battery and altenator checked out....

[quote="richardesty"]Sounds like something is drawing more current than the battery could cope with......

My Subs and Amps used to make my lights dim to the time of the music - but a powercap put rest to that.

I'd check get your battery and altenator checked out....[/quote]


... I may have to look into this too as I've noticed the lights dim a little when using the leccy windows!!!

I do not think it would be the alternator. The battery should cope with all the sudden current boosts needed. So I think perhaps badly charged battery or bad connections? I am just worried there would be some serious power problem somewhere, especially seeing the how much the powerdrain was with the ABS...

Hmmm - could be a poor earth on the battery....

I reckon ALL F's will do this. I remember a thread a few months ago mentioning the same thing.

I urge all you with filament bulbs to try this. start your car, turn on headlights, try and close an already closed window whilst watching your lights.......

Bet they go dim.......!

Its a trait of most cars :P

see this thread: -

http://www.club323f.com/club323f/forum/ ... =capacitor

[quote="stuartspel"]I reckon ALL F's will do this. I remember a thread a few months ago mentioning the same thing.

I urge all you with filament bulbs to try this. start your car, turn on headlights, try and close an already closed window whilst watching your lights.......

Bet they go dim.......![/quote]

There's your answer Fit a Xenon HID convension kit and you won't have filament bulbs to go dim

[quote="richardesty"][quote="stuartspel"]I reckon ALL F's will do this. I remember a thread a few months ago mentioning the same thing.

I urge all you with filament bulbs to try this. start your car, turn on headlights, try and close an already closed window whilst watching your lights.......

Bet they go dim.......![/quote]

There's your answer Fit a Xenon HID convension kit and you won't have filament bulbs to go dim [/quote]Problem is still there with the Xenon lights, just not visible.

My biggest concern would be that power would drop to low when there is a panic break and I would loose control over the car etc...

i once took mine to the mazda garage for them to look at this and they said its normal

[quote="m0053"]i once took mine to the mazda garage for them to look at this and they said its normal[/quote]Hmm.. I still do not feel safe with it = (

Mine does it pretty sure they all do, my partners ford KA does too, although that sounds like its going to cut out

the 'f wont cut out. i've tried!
if you turn your lights on, wait for the idle to settle at normal and then wack your heater up to full, change the heater mode (from demister to whatever) try to wind up both windows while they're already up, turn on the radio and press the brake pedal, it doesnt stall. the revs will just drop to 500rpm, the lights will dim but then it will right itself

[quote="m0053"]the 'f wont cut out. i've tried!
if you turn your lights on, wait for the idle to settle at normal and then wack your heater up to full, change the heater mode (from demister to whatever) try to wind up both windows while they're already up, turn on the radio and press the brake pedal, it doesnt stall. the revs will just drop to 500rpm, the lights will dim but then it will right itself[/quote]

You must have been bored (although I must admit ive tried it myself )

[quote="m0053"]the 'f wont cut out. i've tried!
if you turn your lights on, wait for the idle to settle at normal and then wack your heater up to full, change the heater mode (from demister to whatever) try to wind up both windows while they're already up, turn on the radio and press the brake pedal, it doesnt stall. the revs will just drop to 500rpm, the lights will dim but then it will right itself[/quote]Continous usage is not the same as spiking usage of current/voltage. In other words it doesn't mean so much if you can run all appliancies and thingis at once.

[quote="Sweedie"][quote="m0053"]the 'f wont cut out. i've tried!
if you turn your lights on, wait for the idle to settle at normal and then wack your heater up to full, change the heater mode (from demister to whatever) try to wind up both windows while they're already up, turn on the radio and press the brake pedal, it doesnt stall. the revs will just drop to 500rpm, the lights will dim but then it will right itself[/quote]Continous usage is not the same as spiking usage of current/voltage. In other words it doesn't mean so much if you can run all appliancies and thingis at once.[/quote]

i no, but if you try and turn them all on at the same time, as in pressing all the buttons in as short a time as possible, you are causing a spike