So I have an issue with my Accord and the electricals acting up a bit.
The lights dim and it seems even the engine sounds to slows down when idling, when I use the power windows. I don't think this is just an idling problem but that's when I pay attention and can hear things.
I'm pretty sure it's not one of the motors in the windows acting up despite one being slightly dysfunctional, cause any one of the windows will cause the power to dim.
Also the stereo can cause the lights on my head unit to dim a little at a gradient depending on how loud I get.
I thought I would ask now since I'm going on a road trip soon and want to work any kinks out, but I'm going to get a voltometer and check the Voltage on my Alternator and Battery.
Any suggestions as to where to start, I'm hoping this is just a dieing battery but I doubt it.

 

Pretty normal. The dimming is caused by the lag between increased demand on the charging system and the alternator catching up. The idle drop is the same as the fluctuation when your a/c compressor cycles. Under increased load the alternator becomes harder to turn which then puts more load on the engine.

You understand that the alternator does not run at full output all the time but responds to demand correct.?

 

Heh yeah, I'm pretty incompetent when it comes to overall electrical work but yes I know that. If it ran under full output all the time it would probably die pretty fast, correct?
I wasn't to suspicious about the light dimming for the audio but with the window usage, I wouldnt expect it to cause a slow down in the idle speed like that. Thanks for correcting me though, one less thing I have to do.

I really wish I had the car since it was new since I don't know how it behaves from the start and what has been done to it. I can't even find out when the timing belt was changed and that's driving me nuts. I'm at 170000 miles and it should be changed every 90,000 but I dont know if the last person to own it thought it should have been changed at 60,000 like many cars do. Money is an issue, but I know it would be worse if the belt snapped, and I'm getting it changed anyway! grr

 

Normal. I can feel my engine slow down (idle) when the radiator fan turns on. Same with power windows.

 

same think with my accord lights dim just a lil when windows roll up or down also idle changes wen a/c and fans turn on its pretty normal

Homesickelian: Im also from the baltimore area might see u around

 

The accords have A really small ALt.... really samll i think 60-80 amp...But to Fix that get a bigger alt..Im order a 200amp and i dont think im have that problem