Alto vibrates when Headligts switched on !!

senthildsk · 23rd April 2007, 17:19

Hi BHpians...
I have a 2004 Alto-Lxi....it has done 30K Kms so far...bought it frm True value dealer 6 months back....

I use my car sparingly...(only on weekends)....recently the battery went ka-put.....so changed it to exide super sonic....but now i notice that when i switch on the headlights, the engine noise increases & there's visibly more vibrations...(it has never happened before...)

The dealer is saying that this is normal for all Alto models as it gets older.... Can somebody throw some light in this matter ?

senthil

akroy · 23rd April 2007, 17:36

dealer is saying all junk...go to proper MASS and check it...
I know even older Altos which doesnt have such problme and that is the reason that it is the highest selling model today...total problem free VFM...

Just check it...

Abhi

Jaggu · 23rd April 2007, 17:54

check charging and set the idle, better take it to M.A.S.S center

Steeroid · 23rd April 2007, 18:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by senthildsk

....recently the battery went ka-put.....so changed it to exide super sonic....but now i notice that when i switch on the headlights, the engine noise increases & there's visibly more vibrations...(it has never happened before...)

Alternator issue. Go to MASS.

Sam Kapasi · 23rd April 2007, 18:45

I agree. It's definitely an issue in the charging section. Even if the alternator appears to be OK, make sure (with a digital multimeter) that the voltage across the battery terminal is atleast 13.5V, with the AC and headlamps switched on. Taking it to the service station is your best bet, but go, armed with this knowledge.

manikjeet · 23rd April 2007, 18:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by senthildsk

Hi BHpians...

The dealer is saying that this is normal for all Alto models as it gets older.... Can somebody throw some light in this matter ?

senthil

Let me tell you i am a fellow alto owner and mine is the first lot alto which is nearly 5 years old and it has no issues like this you better get it checked from the M.A.S.S.

abhibh · 23rd April 2007, 19:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by senthildsk

Hi BHpians...
I have a 2004 Alto-Lxi....it has done 30K Kms so far...bought it frm True value dealer 6 months back....

I use my car sparingly...(only on weekends)....recently the battery went ka-put.....so changed it to exide super sonic....but now i notice that when i switch on the headlights, the engine noise increases & there's visibly more vibrations...(it has never happened before...)

The dealer is saying that this is normal for all Alto models as it gets older.... Can somebody throw some light in this matter ?

senthil

Well this is first time i am hearing this that old alto starts vibrating. I mean yes as the car gets old it starts a bit of vibrations but that coz a lot fo things need to get changed. Just get the battery checked and Alternator.

@manik i win i have 7 years old Alto

tsk1979 · 23rd April 2007, 23:04

At idling also 13.5V +
With AC and headlights on the voltage across battery is 13V and goes to 14 on revs.
Without AC and headlights though its around 13.5 at idle.
I have seen this in new indica too.
Voltage is not always above 13.5V

rohan_fonseca · 24th April 2007, 18:13

Had a similar problem recently. Went to check the battery. Turned out the battery was dry.

revtech · 24th April 2007, 22:05

my battery is fairly new .....just about 3 months old and it drops to 12.5 with the ac and headlights turned on.

speedzak · 25th April 2007, 00:00

The engine vibration problem has to be explained a bit more in detail I guess.
If the vibration (Most probably due to a slight RPM drop) is just for a moment when the head lights are turned on, I think it happens in most Altos (In many other cars too). Most people don't notice it happening.
But if it stays prolonged, then it has to be checked. It could be an Alternator/battery/both issue. M.A.S.S is the best place for you in that case.

humyum · 25th April 2007, 00:24

Yeah agree with speedzak it happens when u switch on the headlights.Happens in my carburated 800 too.At idling if i switch on the headlight the idling changes a bit and remains that way as mine is a carburated one and has no ECU to control the idling.The Idling thingy speekzak mentioned happens on my relatives mpfi zen too
And the Charging should be checked at 2000 rpm.Idling with the AC and headlight on and generating 12.5 volts is fine.
At 2000 rpm and above the chargin with all the load should be around 13.4 and at no load around 14.4

mithun · 26th April 2007, 05:47

Dump the stupid dealer and find a better knowledgeable one.

My 6 year old Alto is not having the problem that you've mentioned.

23rd April 2007, 17:19	#1
senthildsk Newbie Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Chennai Posts: 19 Thanked: 14 Times	Alto vibrates when Headligts switched on !! Hi BHpians... I have a 2004 Alto-Lxi....it has done 30K Kms so far...bought it frm True value dealer 6 months back.... I use my car sparingly...(only on weekends)....recently the battery went ka-put.....so changed it to exide super sonic....but now i notice that when i switch on the headlights, the engine noise increases & there's visibly more vibrations...(it has never happened before...) The dealer is saying that this is normal for all Alto models as it gets older.... Can somebody throw some light in this matter ? senthil
	() Thanks

23rd April 2007, 17:36	#2
akroy Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Francisco, CA, USA Posts: 2,423 Thanked: 85 Times View My Garage	dealer is saying all junk...go to proper MASS and check it... I know even older Altos which doesnt have such problme and that is the reason that it is the highest selling model today...total problem free VFM... Just check it... Abhi
	() Thanks

23rd April 2007, 17:54	#3
Jaggu Team-BHP Support Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 20,215 Thanked: 15,907 Times	check charging and set the idle, better take it to M.A.S.S center
	() Thanks

23rd April 2007, 18:45	#5
Sam Kapasi Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mumbai (but wat Posts: 6,997 Thanked: 2,378 Times View My Garage	I agree. It's definitely an issue in the charging section. Even if the alternator appears to be OK, make sure (with a digital multimeter) that the voltage across the battery terminal is atleast 13.5V, with the AC and headlamps switched on. Taking it to the service station is your best bet, but go, armed with this knowledge.
	() Thanks

23rd April 2007, 23:04	#8
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,717 Thanked: 22,825 Times View My Garage	At idling also 13.5V + With AC and headlights on the voltage across battery is 13V and goes to 14 on revs. Without AC and headlights though its around 13.5 at idle. I have seen this in new indica too. Voltage is not always above 13.5V
	() Thanks

24th April 2007, 18:13	#9
rohan_fonseca BHPian Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Panaji Posts: 984 Thanked: 8 Times View My Garage	Had a similar problem recently. Went to check the battery. Turned out the battery was dry.
	() Thanks

24th April 2007, 22:05	#10
revtech Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 1,992 Thanked: 38 Times View My Garage	my battery is fairly new .....just about 3 months old and it drops to 12.5 with the ac and headlights turned on.
	() Thanks

25th April 2007, 00:00	#11
speedzak BANNED Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: India Posts: 4,347 Thanked: 27 Times	The engine vibration problem has to be explained a bit more in detail I guess. If the vibration (Most probably due to a slight RPM drop) is just for a moment when the head lights are turned on, I think it happens in most Altos (In many other cars too). Most people don't notice it happening. But if it stays prolonged, then it has to be checked. It could be an Alternator/battery/both issue. M.A.S.S is the best place for you in that case.
	() Thanks

25th April 2007, 00:24	#12
humyum Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 2,752 Thanked: 5,428 Times	Yeah agree with speedzak it happens when u switch on the headlights.Happens in my carburated 800 too.At idling if i switch on the headlight the idling changes a bit and remains that way as mine is a carburated one and has no ECU to control the idling.The Idling thingy speekzak mentioned happens on my relatives mpfi zen too And the Charging should be checked at 2000 rpm.Idling with the AC and headlight on and generating 12.5 volts is fine. At 2000 rpm and above the chargin with all the load should be around 13.4 and at no load around 14.4
	() Thanks

26th April 2007, 05:47	#13
mithun BANNED Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Cochin Posts: 2,195 Thanked: 268 Times	Dump the stupid dealer and find a better knowledgeable one. My 6 year old Alto is not having the problem that you've mentioned.
	() Thanks