Hi guys, hopefully an easy question!

When i start the car, all the lighting dims and brightens. I've been told it is the 'inteligent charging' system coupled with a brand new battery.

For the past 3 days, the battery light has come on when starting the car, but disappears when you touch the throttle...it's been quite cold for those 3 days, but i wouldn't have thought it was enough to take charge out of the battery?

My assumption would be that the alternator isn't working correctly, but this was replaced in January last year at 90k miles...

The car is a 2006 1.9 PD105 (bxe engine code?).

The dimming stops after a couple of minutes of driving, but returns when stationary? I can run the car at idle for 15mins+ and it will do it continually, as soon as you move after this the dimming goes.

If it's normal, which it doesn't sound, the i guess ill just have to live with it, but if it's not, the car is still under warranty thankfully!

Strangely though, i test drove the car in the dark, and the dimming wasn't there, but has been since the new battery was fitted? Just seems strange to me! With how it is, if I'm in a hurry in the dark, it could be quite dangerous!

As your car is still under warranty I would take it back and get them to fully check the electrical/charging system

Sounds like alternator is struggling to produce 14.4v at idle. Check battery voltage with engine off. Should be just over 12v. Check again with engine running. It should be over 14v. Check again with engine revving slightly. Should still be 14 and a bit volts.

Edited 7 February, 201412 yr by FatblokeVRS

Thanks guys! Seems my Thoughts look to be correct then. It seems strange that it does it while driving aswell though? I can drive around 2 miles with it constantly, after that it's fine.

I'll get it checked out over the weekend and report back!

Well....idle and revving, battery shows between 13.9 and 14.3v, no lower, no higher...