Lights Dim while on Idle

[NYC_99Camry]

Hey guys...quick questions. i have a 99 camry with approx. 95K miles. recently, while my camry is idling, all the lights in my car dims. and when i step on the gas, it becomes bright again. also, my power window and wipers becomes slow too when all my lights become dim. any ideas what it is causing this? at first i thought it would be the Intake Valve, but i recently cleaned with a Seafoam Intake cleaner....about 3 months ago. i was thinking it might be the battery or the alternator that is about to fail or something. please help...

[toyomoho]

What is the idle speed. Should be around 700 rpm.

Below 1500 rpm the alt produces less currant and the battery starts picking up the load.

Does the car have a high current stereo amp, etc?

With the engine off are the lights still dim, do the windows still drag? Don't put too much load when testing such as the heater blower, etc.

The battery could be dieing.

[bigbird]

alternator? ive had a similar problem on another vehicle and it was not charging the battery properly so at low idle it was dimming.

[nukem678]

Yea the alt is probably dying. You can get a little tester to see if it really is the problem, but be ready to replace the alt.

Check ebay good deals

If its a 4cyl, its an easy repair

[Tom 2000]

The original battery in my '00 Camry finally died last month at 96K miles. My symptoms were similar to what you describe for awhile, then it finally would not hold a charge and failed to start.

Before you just go buy a battery, do check the battery, alternator (belt), connections, especially your battery terminals to make sure they are clean.

[NYC_99Camry]

thanks all. i'll probably go to the autozone tomorrow and check it out. also, i noticed there are two kinds of alternators. the brand new ones and the rebuilt ones. which is better?