Recently I have noticed that in the first minute or two after starting the car the headlamp brightness often dips noticeably, but very briefly, just for about a second. I have mainly noticed this while idling on the drive, but also once or twice while driving away. When I get to the end of my road, the next road is too brightly lit for me to see it if it happens again. I've never noticed it at the end of a trip, but that may just be because I don't sit on the drive with the engine idling for any length of time.

To me this is suggestive of a dip in voltage, but it's not obvious why there should be brief dips in voltage. Is this normal? There's nothing to indicate there are any related problems.

I 'Think' it's something to do with the power steering on the Octy & Furbie being electric; when i'm reversing out of my drive in the dark, the beam intensity dips as I turn the wheel; read somewhere it was to do with a battery that was not fully charged. Both my vehicles do this. No doubt someone more knowledgeable than I will be along soon to explain it all for us both

Edited 17 January, 201016 yr by cavdad

Mine has done this since new and doesn't seem to be a problem. I notice when in standing traffic and the lights are reflecting off the back of the vehicle in front.

I 'Think' it's something to do with the power steering on the Octy & Furbie being electric; when i'm reversing out of my drive in the dark, the beam intensity dips as I turn the wheel; read somewhere it was to do with a battery that was not fully charged. Both my vehicles do this. No doubt someone more knowledgeable than I will be along soon to explain it all for us both

Power steering on the Mk1 Octy is not electric, just conventional hydraulic, unlike the Fabia where the pump is electric.

Edited 17 January, 201016 yr by ExAudiSi