Dash lights not working?

2CP-ARCHIVES

MEMBER
2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
69,000 MILES

When driving my headlights and inside dash lights dim and brighten every few minutes. This began about a year ago. I find the dimming of the lights to be dangerous at night. The Hyundai dealership says this is normal and it is the way it's made. Is this true? I am taking my vehicle in again as it is under warranty. However, I think they are giving me a runaround.

1 Reply

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

This could be normal if they are dimming for just a second or two when this happens. However, we need to load test the battery and alternator just to make sure. Here are guides that will help with this:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-alternator

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

However, this is possibly normal if the lights are dimming when the A/C compressor or some other large component kicks on which drains the electrical system and the lights dim but come back when the load smooths out due to the alternator catching up on the demand.

This happens in houses as well that the lights will flicker when the heat or A/C kicks on. It is just a moment of high load and the lights are robbed of some voltage but it comes right back.

Hopefully this helps. Let us know what you find. Thanks