E46 Query: Dimming lights

[Yuben]

Howzit guys.
I have this strange issue on my 330.
While driving I notice that all my lights on the dash go very dim, almost where u can't see them and suddenly everything is normal.
It happens very rarely but it worries me that I might have a voltage problem.
Anyone experienced this before?

 

[OppositeLockMT]

My speedo occasionally fails momentarily when I switch on my main beams, could be related. I still have to check the wiring.

 

[Peejay]

Maybe signs of alternator problems

 

[firaz]

Howzit guys.
I have this strange issue on my 330.
While driving I notice that all my lights on the dash go very dim, almost where u can't see them and suddenly everything is normal.
It happens very rarely but it worries me that I might have a voltage problem.
Anyone experienced this before?

Hi Yuben,

I also have experienced this on my e46 330. First noticed it a few years back, usually happens when cruising when not pressing the accelerator. As soon as you get on the gas everything goes back to normal.
However, I must have done about 80 000 plus km since I first noticed it happening, but has never become a issue. So left it at that. Not sure what it is though.

Hope that helps.

Regards,
Firaz

---

Howzit guys.
I have this strange issue on my 330.
While driving I notice that all my lights on the dash go very dim, almost where u can't see them and suddenly everything is normal.
It happens very rarely but it worries me that I might have a voltage problem.
Anyone experienced this before?

Hi Yuben,

I also have experienced this on my e46 330. First noticed it a few years back, usually happens when cruising when not pressing the accelerator. As soon as you get on the gas everything goes back to normal.
However, I must have done about 80 000 plus km since I first noticed it happening, but has never become a issue. So left it at that. Not sure what it is though.

Hope that helps.

Regards,
Firaz

 

[Baron]

Yuben,

Are you sure you're not just noticing the auto-brightness feature of your light control module?

Put your thumb over that little hole / dot in the middle, just above and to the right of the driving lights symbol, and see if your dash lights dim like they should (in full daylight conditions).

That dot is a light sensing photoresistor and is responsible for controlling the brightness of your dash depending on the brightness of the ambient light.

Sometimes your dash will darken in bright sunlight when you've got shade falling onto that sensor, or you've otherwise blocked it from recieving full sunlight.

Otherwise if thats not the case, the first thing I'd take a look at is the dial that controls your dash brightness or the wiring inside your light control module, it may be developing a loose connection somewhere.

 

[Prev]

Learnt something today......thanks Baron :thumbs:

 

[Peejay]

Plus 1

 

[OppositeLockMT]

Interesting, these cars were ahead of their time.

 

[Yuben]

Yuben,

Are you sure you're not just noticing the auto-brightness feature of your light control module?

Put your thumb over that little hole / dot in the middle, just above and to the right of the driving lights symbol, and see if your dash lights dim like they should (in full daylight conditions).

That dot is a light sensing photoresistor and is responsible for controlling the brightness of your dash depending on the brightness of the ambient light.

Sometimes your dash will darken in bright sunlight when you've got shade falling onto that sensor, or you've otherwise blocked it from recieving full sunlight.

Otherwise if thats not the case, the first thing I'd take a look at is the dial that controls your dash brightness or the wiring inside your light control module, it may be developing a loose connection somewhere.

Thanks Buddy, will check that out:thumbs: