[USAFRET]

I have noticed my headlights and interior lights dimming usually when the AC is on. As a first time Honda owner I thought my car had a problem as I have only experienced this anomaly on cars with a failing electrical system.

So I took it back to my dealer for an inspection/repair.

Here's my dealers warranty invoice showing the complaint

This was attached to the invoice as supporting documentation

As I said this is my first Honda and found this issue annoying but more importantly I thought my car had an electrical problem.

I hope this helps others experiencing this issue.

Tom

 

[Schu]

Told you nuts... Normal

 

[foamypirate]

This can typically be remedied by installing a larger battery. The one supplied from the factory is rather small.

 

[Kupo]

get HID's and the problem will go away... at least for me it did...

 

[USAFRET]

Told you nuts... Normal

For a Honda, but as I said I've NEVER experienced this before in any other car I owned or drove unless there was a problem with its electrical system.

Maybe Honda dealers need to educate first time buyers on Honda Peculiarities then I wouldn’t have wasted my or their time.

Tom

 

[Schu]

Maybe Honda dealers need to educate first time buyers on Honda Peculiarities then I wouldn’t have wasted my or their time.

Tom

I completely agree with you on that. educate the staff and the buyer:thmsup:

 

[Osiris_x11]

My '08 Accord sedan is the first Honda/Acura vehicle that I have ever owned w/ the ever-so sporadic/occasional head-light dimming.

As long as it's a normal/documented thing, I am o.k. w/ it as it doesn't affect my visibility or anything else.

 

[Accordlover]

I've seen it in ford products. It's totally normal to me.

80's honda's don't do it.

 

[AznX TL]

get HID's and the problem will go away... at least for me it did...

:thumbsup: worked for me

 

[elp_jc]

Tom is right. Something not typical like that should be at least included in the owner's manual, which is NOT.

I haven't noticed that on either the CR-V or my car, but I always charge my batteries (bikes and cars) every week. I'd do that before replacing it. And yes, when it's time to replace it, I always spring for an Optima, which up to now has been the last battery I have to buy. Later gang.
JC

 

[HenryFL]

Cant believe what I am reading

After numerous posts on various sites about this issue, I still cant comprehend
how anyone can say this is "normal". If it is an obvious flicker which can be observed by the driver and other vehicles on the road, and the other vehicles next to yours do not do the same thing(unless its a Honda) how can one state this is normal? The NORM is NO flickering since the majority of vehicles do not do this. If some of you have had this in the past with Hondas and other other manufactuers such as Ford, this still does not make it "normal".

It is the NORMAL operation of a DEFECTIVE design!!!!

 

[AznX TL]

they've been going 10+ yrs with the ELD design. just disable the ELD if you don't want it to happen anymore.

 

[Osiris_x11]

If it is an obvious flicker...

I wouldn't go so far as to even call it a 'flicker', per-se. It's an incredibly subtle change in light intensity.

Indeed, it's obviously something that isn't ideal. But, it's far from being problematic and an issue to the actual driver and drivers in other vehicles.

I'd even dare to call it, 'epileptic-approved'... :thmsup:

 

[Phaid]

Is this only on 4-cylinders? I've never noticed it on my V6 sedan. I don't think I've noticed it on our CR-V either, though it is a 4-cylinder as well.

 

[Accordlover]

I highly doubt your lights are flickering when you drive down the road. The power draw is the worst when you are idling and not moving. I have never seen any Honda's interior or exterior lights flash/flicker/dim whatever while moving and giving gas to the engine.

Phaid,

You would notice it if you sat in your car, turn the headlights on, and ran the A/C. The compressor cycles off and on which causes a slight load change on the alternator.

 

[kcsoundguy]

My 06 silverado did this when siting at a stop at idle and the ac would cycle on off...after I put HID lamps in my coupe I dont notice it at all anymore.

 

[chainedlightnin]

i only notice it when i'm going at slow speeds through my development, that's it. i can't say i've ever seen it when i was on the road doing normal speeds... *shrug* i'm willing to ignore it.

. o O ( and who charges their batteries every week? isn't that a little paranoid? )

 

[PKT]

After numerous posts on various sites about this issue, I still cant comprehend
how anyone can say this is "normal". If it is an obvious flicker which can be observed by the driver and other vehicles on the road, and the other vehicles next to yours do not do the same thing(unless its a Honda) how can one state this is normal? The NORM is NO flickering since the majority of vehicles do not do this. If some of you have had this in the past with Hondas and other other manufactuers such as Ford, this still does not make it "normal".

It is the NORMAL operation of a DEFECTIVE design!!!!

Because its pretty insignificant. Its not a flicker it just dims a tiny bit, you would have to be really sensitive for this to really bother you.....

 

[Revcomm]

My '01 Accord (4-cyl) headlights would dim when the A/C kicked in, they would dim if I activited the power windows and they would dim if I actived the door locks. It was very noticeable. The problem worsened as the battery aged. Once the battery failed I replaced it with a higher capacity Sears Die-Hard and the dimming has ceased or is imperceptible. The OEM battery, IMO, was garbage. My '08 Accord (V6) doesn't have this problem.

 

[BrockPSU]

Even though we have been through this issue many times, the doubters still continue to dismiss this issue, which is only on 4 cyl. Accords. Every 17 seconds, whether driving or sitting at idle, when running your AC the lights FLICKER. It is noticeable to anyone who looks for it. I have seen it happen with the DRLs on if you are stting at a red light and can see the reflection in the vehicle in front of you. Many of you will argue and say that this is not a safety issue, but for those of us who truly believe it is a safety issue, we need to keep fighting for a fix. I have heard that a larger battery or HIDs will fix the issue, but why should I pay $200 for something that Honda should address?