Pulling Window Switch Makes Lights Dim

[Speed_Chaser]

Noticed one thing and it would be nice to know what's causing it. All of my front lights use to dim a bit when I pull window opening switches. As I let go, the lights become normal. Same thing happens while changing gear from neutral to drive for example... This means it doesn't matter what I do and it's not because of my lights neither.

Before I noticed the same thing happening on other car. On that one pulling window switches caused dimming of the interior lights too, not only the front lights. So probably it affects to the whole electrical system of the car.

What's causing this and is there a known fix? Is my car Battery passing out or is it something else?

[tavy]

It seems to be Battery problem... try with the horn too, if it's happening the same thing.

[AURISTR01]

This is normal try it any other car if it makes you feel better. May not be the headlights that dim but another electrical device will reduce its power.

Using window switch is a temporary element, you would have to hold the switch for longer than usual to notice a drop in voltage.

In this weather if your Battery is low on charge it may be more obvious especially if your doing short journeys its not gettting enough charge. As your using more electrical items, heaters, lights, windows, radio, wipers, rear demister, etc so it would reduce the power somewhere in your case headlights.

If you have a slower than usual turn over at start up its down to your Battery otherwise dont worry about it!

[Speed_Chaser]

Thanks for your replies guys. Yes it happens when holding the switch. With other things, like horn, too. I know that devices are "stealing" current from each other which causes that they don't function as normal. Just like you said AurisTR! I was quite sure that it's not a fault as another car is doing the same thing. Was just curious if it's the Battery or normal behaviour!

My car's almost 5 years old. Still running the factory Battery. It is not in best shape, I've noticed that. But the car stood in the garage for a month or so and was fine after that. I'm doing lots of short journeys, yes. All of these things probably have their effect on this kind of behaviour. The service time will be soon and they'll probably check the Battery there.

What I'm willing to do is change the battery to some better one and also upgrade the brakes. Just have an impression that there's not too many alternatives out there... Especially talking about the brakes now. But that's a conversation which needs a whole new thread :)

[AURISTR01]

In regards of a Battery dont waste your money until this one dies, if you have breakdown cover they will get you going again if it was to cause a problem, because all it does in truth is start the car or wait until you get a realy slow turn over. Give it a 30 min motorway drive it will charge the Battery. It would be false economy if you replace it just because its 5 years old, unless you have deep pockets of course :)

While on topic about brakes any decent branded discs with Mintex pads are good as you dont ge if any little brake fade and they brake well.

I would rate mintex pads because I use them but others will have there sugesstions?

[tavy]

...My car's almost 5 years old. Still running the factory battery. ...

If your Battery is 5 years, it's time to change it... mine died after 3 years, in the end of last spring; it had power enough to feed the fuel pump and clocks, and when I switch to ignition a interrupted sound could be heard and Battery hadn't power enough to spin the flywheel.

First time I started the car with a pair of jumper cables, few days I could use the Battery as normal, then suddenly after I filled the tank at petrol station, trying to start the car, battery was dead again. I asked two guys at the station to push my car (there was no problem damaging the catalyzer because the engine was hot) and drove continuously to the first spare parts shop - I've been in vacation in Greece, the battery died in north of the country at a filling station located on the motorway, then I drove continuously to the south of the country where we intended to spend our vacation; even when stopped for eating I left the engine started....

Eventually, in capital of destination island we found a spare parts shop where I had courage to stop the car in front of, because I saw few batteries thru the window and waited for 3 hours till the shop guy opened the store. I bought a new battery and that's all.

[Speed_Chaser]

I believe that battery's condition depends on use and many other factors. But on the other hand I believe that it's best to change it in time, to prevent situations like the one you told us about Tavy! At the service Toyota usually measures the Battery condition and they will then tell me if it's good time to change or not. I am going to base my decision on fact, not only the age. No big pockets and even if I had, I don't like to spend more than I need to :)

Could you tell me more about your experiences related to Mintex? Are they just good alternative or somehow better than the stock.

Brake thread for the conversation created here:

http://www.toyotaownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=133531

[AURISTR01]

Mintex have a good bite and dont have as much brake dust in comparison to the Toyota pads, and dont tend to squeal. Mintex are a branded pad but affordable.

[Speed_Chaser]

What about brake discs? Did you upgrade them aswell, or only the pads? Usually people tend to change them all at once.

[AURISTR01]

My discs were fine at 70,000 still on original so I put new pads on front and rear, though on the next brake change I will be doing the disc and pads all round.

All depends on your brake disc minimum thickness, not suitable to put new pads on worn old discs.

Sign of worn brake disc is usualy vibration through steering wheel when braking at high speed would mean warped discs, or a lip on the outer side of the disc would indicate due replacement sooner or later if you leave both brake disc and pads late you will get a grinding noise or a longer traveling brake pedal. Though you can get the lip skimmed from a specialist if your brake discs have enough thickness.

For everyday use for an ordinary driver with the occasional fast driving get any decent OEM discs & mintex pads.

[Speed_Chaser]

Thanks for your input! I will investigate and report through my car's introduction thread how it goes :)