Headlights intensity changing while shifting...

[Karl Roth]

found a relatively smooth stretch of dark road and have tried it a number of times now. The lights dim when it shifts have not been able to make it do the same thing turning on the seat heaters,AC or combinations of these but it browns a bit on shifts. all seems to be working well and it is only as mentioned most noticeable in dark areas. Any techs have any ideas?
Thanks
karl

[Old smart]

Try this - some night drive along close to a vertical wall to the right, and where you can see the headlight dispersion on the wall. Shift, and see if the headlight glare on the wall actually dims, or does the beam pattern move vertically with the car pitching on its soft suspension.

Or, try it in fog instead of alongside a wall.

[rawlus®]

or hook up a meter and measure the current while it's shifting.

[Karl Roth]

Originally Posted by rawlus®

or hook up a meter and measure the current while it's shifting.

at what point would you like to measuere from
karl

[Old smart]

Originally Posted by Karl Roth

... have not been able to make it do the same thing turning on the seat heaters,AC or combinations of these but it browns a bit on shifts. ...

Doesn't seem reasonable that the 20 amp seat heaters or the 15A A/C (35A together) would not cause dimming when the 10A transmission controller would.

[Karl Roth]

Originally Posted by Old smart

Doesn't seem reasonable that the 20 amp seat heaters or the 15A A/C (35A together) would not cause dimming when the 10A transmission controller would.

I am at a loss to explain it, initially I was convinced that it was an optical illusion and it was chassis movement that made it appear that they dimmed. Perhaps the 15A is only a control circuit. Still no word on a shop manual...
karl

[Dunerunner]

If this is indeed an electrical issue, you could be assured it is due to a voltage drop which should be measurable anywhere across the 12.5vdc system. Stick a meter in the 12V acc receptical and test it out.

[Karl Roth]

Originally Posted by Dunerunner

If this is indeed an electrical issue, you could be assured it is due to a voltage drop which should be measurable anywhere across the 12.5vdc system. Stick a meter in the 12V acc receptical and test it out.

hold the probes on my fluke while I try that
karl

[Old smart]

Originally Posted by Karl Roth

... Still no word on a shop manual...
karl

Be nice to have the manual with a wiring diagram so you could see where the clutch and shifting servos take their power from.

[rawlus®]

Originally Posted by Karl Roth

at what point would you like to measuere from
karl

in line ammeter on the headlights. watch for a dip when the car shifts.