Headlights can get dim when turning the steering for different reasons, which vary with vehicle type, quality of bulb and what have you! You need to understand why your headlight gets dim while steering because if you find yourself returning from the office at late hours, this situation poses a threat to your life.
In this article, we shall discuss dimming lights while turning the steering, causes, things you can do and also provide answers to related questions about that.
How do I know my headlights are going dim when using the steering?
You need to be very observant while steering, checkmating all parameters is a good thing even before starting the vehicle. To know if your headlights are going dim you need to pay attention when driving on a rough surface like gravel roads. Although this could be tricky to find in daylight which is why you should speak to your mechanic for a scheduled inspection.
What are the causes of dimming headlights when turning the steering?
When turning the steering wheel there could be different causes of dimming headlights. Here are a few common ones:
1. Alternator going bad:
When the alternator starts to give issues, your vehicle‘s electrical system is affected. If the alternator is unable to charge the battery, the car’s electrical system will quickly drain the already charged battery. If you find yourself in this case, be sure to get your alternator checked by a technician and see if it needs fixing or replacement.
2. Battery needs replacing:
This is said to be the most common cause of headlight dimming while turning the steering. The headlight relies solely on the power of your battery to function properly and if the battery is dying then dimming headlights will be the resultant effect.
3. Non-adaptive headlights and faulty bulb:
When the bulbs of your headlights are old or damaged, it can cause the headlights to dim. Fortunately, this can be a quick-fix scenario. A qualified technician can quickly fix this issue.
4. Electric steering pump:
The power steering pump might be putting a load on the electrical system, and that’s what’s causing it.
5. The strain on the charging system:
Not sure what it could be exactly, but seems like the turning of the wheel is causing additional strain on the belt/charging system (also known as cooling/serpentine belt- basically the belt that you see spinning outside the engine which is covered nowadays) thus reducing some kind of power output.
6. Loose wire and bad connection:
Sometimes, a headlight may start dimming due to physical damage to the headlight components. Inside of the connector may start to melt, causing a poor connection to the bulbs. In other cases, the wire may start to pull out the rear of the connector, leading to a poor connection. If the wire is loose, flickering of headlights when turning the steering would be unavoidable.
Now that you know the causes, addressing these problems will help save a lot.
What to do when my headlights go dim while using the steering wheel
It’s paramount to diagnose the cause of the light getting dimmer. This could be a little issue that might become a potential problem. Therefore the earlier you act on it the better for you.
You might want to check the battery life by using a multimeter. headlights may jeopardize your safety on the road, as this may make your car less visible to other car owners.
How to stop headlights from dimming when turning the steering wheel
These factors pose a threat to your vehicle. Therefore it is advised you shun such or find a way to manage them effectively:
- Frequent short trips can pose a threat to your vehicle
- Leaving your car parked for prolonged periods
- Driving a vehicle that has many black-market electrical accessories
- Leaving the battery in a vehicle in a very hot or very cold climate may decrease the lifespan of your battery.
Additionally, dimming headlights may signal a serious problem with your vehicle’s electrical system you may want to schedule an appointment with your mechanic.
Conclusion
There’s nothing terribly abnormal when you experience a flickering headlight. There’s a drop in voltage whenever accessories are fully used i.e. AC, power steering etc. If it is dimming continuously you may have an alternator or bad ground somewhere.
If your car is still under warranty, you stand a better chance to take it to the dealer. In most cases, there are owners of the same vehicle that have the same issue you’re having.
Disclaimer
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