Questions and Answers

Disco Lights Q. My friend has a 2000 Jetta which has this issue with the headlights and taillights getting brighter and dimmer. I thought it was the Alternator but they checked the output on it (supposedly I wasn't there) and it seemed to be okay to them. The dealer who, from what I can tell, are a bunch of you know what's keeps telling her there is nothing wrong with the car.

My guess was the alternator or the voltage regulator. Do you have any other ideas? It mainly happens at idle but happens faintly at driving speed.

2000 Base Jetta
28,000 Miles
4 cylinder
Automatic
ABS
P/S & A/C

Thanks,
David

A. This condition usually occurs when you have a weak battery. If the alternator (voltage regulator is built in) checks out okay, then a battery load test should be the next thing to do. If it is borderline bad, then that's the cause of the brightening and dimming. Replacing the battery should correct the condition.

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