Dim low beam headlights on 1990 Camry

[1122union]

My wife's 1990 Camry has dim headlights on low beam (she says high beams are all right, but I haven't confirmed). I have changed bulbs, reflectors and ground cable with no change in symptoms. Anyone have any ideas? The difference between the 1990 and my 91 is like night and day.

Kent

[IvanHoe]

Originally Posted by 1122union

My wife's 1990 Camry has dim headlights on low beam (she says high beams are all right, but I haven't confirmed). I have changed bulbs, reflectors and ground cable with no change in symptoms. Anyone have any ideas? The difference between the 1990 and my 91 is like night and day.

Kent

week alternator perhaps

[curtisz]

My alternator just went bad recently. I had the same dim low beams for a couple of weeks, then the "Charge", "Brake", and the tail light sensor lights all come on. I had the alternator tested, and it was bad. After I changed it, the sensor lights went out, and I had MUCH brighter low beams.

[stanno]

Originally Posted by curtisz

My alternator just went bad recently. I had the same dim low beams for a couple of weeks, then the "Charge", "Brake", and the tail light sensor lights all come on. I had the alternator tested, and it was bad. After I changed it, the sensor lights went out, and I had MUCH brighter low beams.

hmmm... i have that same "lights" sensor light on on my dash. when i fire up the car in the mornings or anytime throughout the day, the light is not there... but as soon as i press the brake pedal to operate the shift lever, it comes on. my headlights are fine, but, my rear lights seem faded, in other words they could be brighter... i haven't done an alternator check but i have a little volt meter i used to plug into my cig lighter port and it gave me a 14.xxx with the engine on. is my alternator goin too?

-stanno

[stanno]

almost forgot, i did a diy alternator test, the one where park near a wall with the headlights on and the engine running, and i switched the engine off and the lights got just a bit dimmer. so i guess that would mean they're working ??

[white90dx]

Originally Posted by stanno

is my alternator goin too?

-stanno

You should post a new thread for things like this...

Anyway... your alternator is fine. Check all your brake lights. If the rear light warning light illuminates, you have a bad bulb back there or a bad wiring. Only if the charge and ebrake light come on with it do you have a bad alternator.

-Charlie

[stanno]

Originally Posted by white90dx

You should post a new thread for things like this...

Anyway... your alternator is fine. Check all your brake lights. If the rear light warning light illuminates, you have a bad bulb back there or a bad wiring. Only if the charge and ebrake light come on with it do you have a bad alternator.

-Charlie

lol, well my question was sorta similar, and since i did a search first i saw this was as close a discussion to mine.... well i'm glad, i'll have to go back there to check 'em , thanks charlie.