headlights dim when i push on the brakes

[98outbackpdx]

when i hit the brakes i can notice that the headlights dim for a second or two and then they are back to normal. i do not have any after market lights i think everything on the car is factory (electrical) or subaru after market parts. any ideas? this is on the 98 outback. it has had all of the recalls performed, could it be a battery getting weak? any ideas would be great.

[anothernord]

My old headlights used to do this. I have since upgraded to HID, with big relays and grounding wires, with no problems. I think that a grounding kit would help.

[d1giPhux]

sounds like your alternator may be going bad.. or battery is weak. You should stop by an autozone place and have them check em bout out for free. Autozone / advance auto / most auto part places will do this for free and may help you out by giving you a bit more info to go on.

[LunchBox04V]

+1 to the grounding kit idea. For that matter just clean up the factory grounds migh help too.

[02_Legacy]

Mine do (did?) this to but only when the ABS came on, I just figured that it was becuase what ever made the ABS worked took alot of voltage. The lights seem sensitive though becuase by subs will dim the lights and they don't use more than 25amps. (The reason I put did is because my battery was really bad, and I just got a new battery so I don't know if it still does it.)

[richysteele]

sounds like your alternator may be going bad.. or battery is weak. You should stop by an autozone place and have them check em bout out for free. Autozone / advance auto / most auto part places will do this for free and may help you out by giving you a bit more info to go on.

+1 on d1giPhux comment. get the alternator and battery checked first. then consider the grounding kit. try one from paranoid fabrication

[birukun]

I have a grounding kit, a newer battery, and now a new alternator.

Since the new alternator, my car has been running like a top. The lights do not dim anymore like you describe. I changed it at 153k, I did not wait for it to die.

[98outbackpdx]

my car was included in with the alternator recall, and my local Subaru dealer says that all of the recalls been done, and i bought the car used. i will get the battery checked it does seem to want to take a bit to start. my grandparents just had to replace theirs in their 2005 forester, so i will go get it checked tomarrow.

and an FYI for people with 96-98 Legacy models started may/2000

RECALLS SUMMARY
Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s):
SUBARU / LEGACY 1996-1998
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 00I002000
Summary:
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE AN ALTERNATOR PROBLEM THAT CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF CHARGING CAPABILITY.
Consequence:
IF THE ALTERNATOR FAILS, THE ALTERNATOR WARNING TELLTALE WILL ALERT THE DRIVER TO THE PROBLEM, GIVING AMPLE OPPORTUNITY TO SEEK REPAIR BEFORE A LOSS OF BATTERY POWER, WHICH, IF THE WARNING WERE IGNORED, COULD ULTIMATELY RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE POWER (ENGINE STALL).
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR WITH A MODIFIED ALTERNATOR. OWNERS WILL ALSO BE CAUTIONED THAT, SHOULD THE ALTERNATOR TELLTALE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATE, THEY MUST SEEK IMMEDIATE REPAIR TO AVOID THE EVENTUAL LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER, WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE STALL.
Notes:
SUBARU HAS DECIDED TO CONDUCT A SERVICE PROGRAM TO REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR. THIS REPLACEMENT CAMPAIGN WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 15, 2000. OWNERS CAN CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783, CONCERNING THIS PROGRAM.

[d1giPhux]

The alternators can get eaten up on these cars pretty quickly.. my best guess is still the alternator. Might as well get em both tested at once at autozone or something.. at least its a step in the right direction.

[Huffer]

Grounding.

[impreza_GC8]

Grounding.
+1 on this.

My car has a new alt and still does this dimming thing when the brakes are first pushed. Old car, old grounds. Get or make a grounding kit or just live with it, its not hurting anything.

[Bd4mp-dub]

I had such a bad battery that when i would honk my horn is would dim my lights and if i was at a stoplight and hinked it could kill my car replaced the battery and fixed everything so id say the batter.

[ScaryFatKidGT]

1. test battery, replace if needed

2. cheap clean up stock grounds/remove paint ect.
2. if you have extra cash and want some bling grounding kit (paranoid fabrications) or build your own

3. platinum battery terminals/big 3 kit (paranoid fabrications)

also get your alternator tested or get a new one if none of those fix it.