1998 Avalon XLS

[swrussell42]

I am having electronic problems with my ’98 Avalon. When I apply my brakes the head lights and lights on my dash will go dim. Also, every now and then the motor will cut out when I brighten or dim the headlights and it did the same when I adjusted the thermostat control for the heat. I had a rebuilt alternator put on a month ago and I am still having the same problems. Yesterday I noticed the battery light flickering on and off on my dash. Hope someone can help.

[cexsiman]

the dimming is most likely caused by the engine speed slowing down after you hit the brakes. you said you just got a rebuilt alternator? are you sure that it has the capacity to run the car? heat should draw some power from it as well, that might be causing some of those problems.

[golfgod]

Head to your local Autozone or other chain parts store. They will test alternator & battery for free. I had the dimming problem when applying my brakes and it ended up being combination of replacing battery and adding extra ground cable to system. Sounds like yours could be a different issue, but still start by having those tests done.

[Jigg007]

Sounds like a shot battery to me.

You can try cleaning the battery posts and battery clamps free of any corrosion.

I had the same thing happen when i applied the brakes once or twice, the headlights and such would dim to a frightening ammount. The next day i looked at my battery and my negitive clamp was a tad loose, and blackend from arching electricty. I replaced the clamp for $2 at a local autozone, fixed the problem. The battery sort of acts as a buffer, a water tank if you will, and the alternator as a pump filling the tank.

[Jaggrey]

That happened to me the last time my battery went dead. I got a jump and on my way home I turned on the headlights and everything went out! I turned the headlights off real fast and got home as fast as I could.