Lights dimming/brightening (potential TSB)

I wanted to track this issue in a separate thread from my ongoing chronicle thread in the hopes it will make it easier to find in the future for others.

I have a 2013 Speed 3, no tech package. My car started dimming/brightening the headlights when idle and turning the steering wheel or applying any gas.

I contacted the dealership and the assistant service manager reported that there is a TSB for the issue that may include a vehicle software update. My interwebs searches didn't find anything. So, I started a new thread.

I'll keep the thread updated. The car is scheduled for service this Friday at 1:00 PM.

 

I have it on my 2012 non-tech.
I bumped my idle to 950rpms and it helped a little.
I figured since we have an electric PS system, it was just heavy electrical load at low engine speed.
I don't know if they can do any software updates while your car is married to tuning software.

 

Since noticing the issue today, I've done some reading and found that small drops in voltage are not good for the electric power steering. This issue also never occurred for me in the past, its new. If the drop is happening system wide, could be a cause of a future failure. In any case, I'm going to measure the voltage across the battery today before taking it to dealer and will measure voltage with gas applied and gas off and with turning steering wheel to see what happens.
[doublepost=1473882600][/doublepost]I did a voltage test. The battery is sitting at 12.84 V with the car off for over 4 hours (so it’s probably a safe assumption its holding charge). Cold start sent the volts down to 10 V. I was idling between 13.80 V and 13.90 V, which seems normal.

I then turned the steering wheel and the volts jumped between 12.70 V (lower than what it was when the car was off) and 15.20 V. So the steering usage is causing a voltage drop and spike. This test was done with headlights off.

 

Voltage drop to 10v while the starter is drawing power is normal.

With regard to the headlight thing, my Pu has been doing it as far back as I can remember with 0 miles. It may be a little more pronounced now at 44k.

By all means take it to the dealer and see if in fact there is a TSB, but I have a feeling you'll just need to add some beefier grounds to the car and call it a day.

 

The assistant manager at the dealer confirmed today she found the TSB related to the issue. She will email it to me tomorrow. We'll see what it says. Also, I've had about 4 other genpu owners tell me theirs don't have the issue. For what its worth. Seems having the tech package or not having the tech package isn't a verified factor yet.

 

Ok, so I had the dealer email me the TSB. (TSB# 01-019/13) I've attached it. Its actually for the 2.0L Skyactiv and states the problem occurs when applying the brakes. I haven't noticed the lights dimming/brightening when applying the breaks. The TSB says "flickering" but I've seen a video of the issue and its more of a dimming, then brightening at a slow rate (not really a "flicker"). Mine dims then brigthens at a slow rate, same as the video I saw.

Anyway, I'm skeptical to have them apply the PCM flash given the TSB doesn't list the Speed 3. But, I guess I'll take chances because I need to find out why my car is idling low intermittently anyway.

Anyone know how the PCM in the 2.0L skyactiv differs from the PCM in the Speed 3? This is probably a dumb question, but I'd rather them NOT flash in a software update for a 2.0L Skyactiv PCM and cause issues for the car in other areas.

Also of note, others who say they got the TSB done, immediately following they noticed a marked reduction in gas mileage.

 

They are absolutely different. Do not let them flash your car with this.

 

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but you're positive it's not the alternator? I read what you said about testing the voltage, but maybe it only acts up under load or something.

 

Haven't checked the alternator yet, thanks to some other member suggestions too, that is next on the list. I'll report back after. I think any drop below between 13.8 and 14 ish shows the car can't maintain proper voltage. It dropped to 12.7 and spiked so something is going on with the voltage for sure.

Does anyone with a voltage meter want to run a comparison test? Connect the leads to the neg. and pos. terminal and idle and turn the steering wheel and report back what your voltage does too?
[doublepost=1473975840][/doublepost]@Redline
[doublepost=1473975993][/doublepost]@JohnnyTightlips

 

I have a gen 1 and I see the same voltages as u mostly. car runs around 13.8 give or take, I also notice the drop/spike when moving the steering wheel around, idk if gen 2 does this but when I steer the car at idle or low speeds the car brings up the rpms. my guess is to help with the voltage drop/easy of moving the wheel. I don't think I notice headlights dim but I can deff check that to help give you more info.

 

Alright, bro, here are the results:
I pulled in at home, turned off my lights, the fan, the radio, etc.
Sitting at idle: 13.5-13.6v

Then, I turned the steering wheel from lock to lock 3 or 4 times: 11.8-14.3v. IIRC, I only saw the 11.8v one time. It seemed that the voltage afterwards was always in the 12.3-14.3v range.

Hope this helps!

 

Well thanks!!! But o.p needs the data not me [emoji12]

 

Derp! @Slug , see above, mayne

 

Thanks man!

I'm thinking that I may just live with it after doing more testing last night. Your numbers, my test results and some other people's feedback make me think its probably normal. I've only had the car for about 9 months now and I think the chances are high that I just never noticed it (because I didn't start pulling into my garage in the dark with the headlights on until recently) and its normal with Mazdas with electric steering? Not really sure its worth the time sync to deal with the dealer at this point and be on the hook for whatever diagnosis fees they claim, plus the rental car, if they say "its normal."

I've found that a lot of quirks with this car that I think are issues, actually turn out to be "normal." This feels like another one of those at this point.

 

One of the best things you could do to test your "normal" hypothesis is meet up with a local Pu owner and see what's up in comparison. Numbers in threads are all well and good, but there's no replacement for having another actual Pu right there to see how it compares in person. That's one of the great benefits of having a close-knit local Speed community.

 

Mine does this as well when turning the wheel. I've mostly noticed it with the parking lights on when I'm backing in at night. I always just assumed it's because of the electronic steering and never really thought much of it.

 

I've confirmed over the weekend with other Pu owners... appears to be totally normal. Alternator checked out fine too.

 

Mine did the same thing since new. One way to keep the headlights steady is install a good HID kit with relay harnesses and capacitors. Since I did that, my headlights never dim, even if I stumble a take off with the clutch.

Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk

 

What HID kit are you using and did it come with the relay harnesses and capacitors?

 

Same here: HIDs for lows/his/fogs. No dimming at all. I got Innovited kits from Prime (inexpensive). They're not even close to high-end stuff, but they work just fine. My one concern is the beam pattern can be a little uneven, particularly the highs (because reflector, not projector, design). It is for this reason and the instant-on factor that I may be looking to try some of the LED bulbs. They're getting really nice and affordable now.