Xenons flickering due to alternator

Rick-sta · 30th July 2020, 15:20

Hi all,

Got an issue on redfive where the xenon headlights flicker in sync with each other now and again. The xenons are basically switching off completely and immediately switching back on. Both headlights are in sync.

I remember reading about this issue before and it's due to something on the alternator, the regulator from memory? Seen it posted about on here a few times but can't find any of the threads.

This is on a diesel ZT.

Cheers
Rick

KWIL · 30th July 2020, 15:46

Try Bogmailer November 2012. Found by search "xenon flicker"

Alex30013k · 30th July 2020, 20:44

Mine did the same and was due to my battery failing, got the aa out they did one test and said was fine and then on second battery failed the test and they changed it, and the issue went away.

Rick-sta · 30th July 2020, 21:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex30013k

Mine did the same and was due to my battery failing, got the aa out they did one test and said was fine and then on second battery failed the test and they changed it, and the issue went away.

That may be the same issue as I'm experiencing. The batter was fine, I removed the ECU on Monday and refitted it yesterday, so car sat on the drive for 2 and a bit days. Refitted the ECU and went to start the car and the battery was dead.

Jump started it with my booster pack, drove it a good 30 miles or so yesterday and the battery was dead again this morning.

Will try a replacement battery first.

Cheers

Alex30013k · 2nd August 2020, 19:02

how did you get on?

Rick-sta · 2nd August 2020, 20:14

Waiting for my new battery to be delivered at the moment mate

COLVERT · 3rd August 2020, 17:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick-sta

That may be the same issue as I'm experiencing. The battery was fine, I removed the ECU on Monday and refitted it yesterday, so car sat on the drive for 2 and a bit days. Refitted the ECU and went to start the car and the battery was dead.

Jump started it with my booster pack, drove it a good 30 miles or so yesterday and the battery was dead again this morning.

Will try a replacement battery first.

Cheers

Driving 30 miles will put just about nothing into an ailing battery. That's like 1 hour on a charger.---

---or less.

COLVERT · 5th August 2020, 10:45

Don't forget to keep us posted on what cured the problem.

My money is on a faulty alternator regulator.---

Rick-sta · 5th August 2020, 11:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by COLVERT

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Driving 30 miles will put just about nothing into an ailing battery. That's like 1 hour on a charger.---

---or less.

That's usually enough in my experience to give the batter enough charge to start again the next day. The battery was only just low enough to stop the car from starting, so turned over a couple times then started clicking. Whenever I've had this before on a diesel (due to the battery draining from the stereo being on for example) a short run after a jump start will be enough for it to not die again.

Battery got worse since, over night it drained itself to the point the locks would barely open the next morning.

Rick-sta · 5th August 2020, 11:54

New battery fitted just now. Switched on the xenons for a good 10 mins and they haven't flickered so far. Will have to take it out for a run in the dark tonight and see if they flicker on a run.

When they were flickering before they'd flicker very soon after turning the headlights on with the revs at idle.

We'll see what happens when I test them tonight.

30th July 2020, 15:20	#1
Rick-sta This is my second home MG ZT 2.0 CDTI+ in Typhoon, MG TF 135 in Typhoon & Rover 75 Connoisseur CDTI SE in Pearl Black Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Norfolk Posts: 7,534 Thanks: 2,718 Thanked 2,827 Times in 1,462 Posts	Xenons flickering due to alternator Hi all, Got an issue on redfive where the xenon headlights flicker in sync with each other now and again. The xenons are basically switching off completely and immediately switching back on. Both headlights are in sync. I remember reading about this issue before and it's due to something on the alternator, the regulator from memory? Seen it posted about on here a few times but can't find any of the threads. This is on a diesel ZT. Cheers Rick __________________ How to retrofit Cruise Control on a diesel with no OEM wiring in place: Link How to retrofit heated electric memory seats with no OEM wiring in place: Link How to operate FBH and ATC via text Link How to restore cloudy projector headlights Link

2nd August 2020, 20:14	#6
Rick-sta This is my second home MG ZT 2.0 CDTI+ in Typhoon, MG TF 135 in Typhoon & Rover 75 Connoisseur CDTI SE in Pearl Black Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Norfolk Posts: 7,534 Thanks: 2,718 Thanked 2,827 Times in 1,462 Posts	Waiting for my new battery to be delivered at the moment mate __________________ How to retrofit Cruise Control on a diesel with no OEM wiring in place: Link How to retrofit heated electric memory seats with no OEM wiring in place: Link How to operate FBH and ATC via text Link How to restore cloudy projector headlights Link

5th August 2020, 11:54	#10
Rick-sta This is my second home MG ZT 2.0 CDTI+ in Typhoon, MG TF 135 in Typhoon & Rover 75 Connoisseur CDTI SE in Pearl Black Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Norfolk Posts: 7,534 Thanks: 2,718 Thanked 2,827 Times in 1,462 Posts	Update New battery fitted just now. Switched on the xenons for a good 10 mins and they haven't flickered so far. Will have to take it out for a run in the dark tonight and see if they flicker on a run. When they were flickering before they'd flicker very soon after turning the headlights on with the revs at idle. We'll see what happens when I test them tonight. __________________ How to retrofit Cruise Control on a diesel with no OEM wiring in place: Link How to retrofit heated electric memory seats with no OEM wiring in place: Link How to operate FBH and ATC via text Link How to restore cloudy projector headlights Link

30th July 2020, 15:46	#2
KWIL Precise Rover 75 Tourer 2.5KV6 Connoisseur SE Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Fleet Posts: 2,954 Thanks: 630 Thanked 617 Times in 480 Posts	Try Bogmailer November 2012. Found by search "xenon flicker"

30th July 2020, 20:44	#3
Alex30013k Posted a thing or two Rover 75 Saloon 2.0 CDTi Conn Se Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ashford Kent Posts: 1,560 Thanks: 17 Thanked 29 Times in 21 Posts	Mine did the same and was due to my battery failing, got the aa out they did one test and said was fine and then on second battery failed the test and they changed it, and the issue went away.

2nd August 2020, 19:02	#5
Alex30013k Posted a thing or two Rover 75 Saloon 2.0 CDTi Conn Se Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ashford Kent Posts: 1,560 Thanks: 17 Thanked 29 Times in 21 Posts	how did you get on?

5th August 2020, 10:45	#8
COLVERT This is my second home R75 Saloon. Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: France/or Devon. Posts: 14,003 Thanks: 3,851 Thanked 2,167 Times in 1,816 Posts	Don't forget to keep us posted on what cured the problem. My money is on a faulty alternator regulator.---