Help. Dim headlights amongst other things?

seashore22

I took my 2006 Ford Fiesta to have it's exhaust replaced a few weeks back. Since then I've noticed an intermittent buzzing sound which only lasts a few seconds and is usually in the first 5 minutes of starting a journey. The air con started blowing out only hot air too. I've now noticed that the headlights are very dim and positively dangerous in the dark.

I know that there's a high probability that the exhaust being replaced is a coincidence, but thought I ought to mention it.

Any ideas what this could be? I phoned our usual garage and he saw no connection between these things and said we should bring it in, however I don't want to do that if it's a relatively simple fix. Obviously the lights are the main issue right now.

DoaM

Alternator not working properly, so your battery is draining? (Could possibly have been knocked during the exhaust change, depending on what bit was changed). Check that the alternator (and battery) connections are properly secured.

AdrianC

The "buzzing sound" could well be the exhaust being slightly misaligned and contacting the body or subframe. As it warms up, it'll expand slightly, which might be enough for slight contact.

Aircon - could that simply be the change in ambient temps? Aircon protects itself from freezing, and low-damp-positive ambients are the ideal time for ice to form.

Headlights - stupid question... How clean are the lenses?

seashore22

Thanks. I did wonder if it could be the alternator, but know next to nothing about cars. I was expecting the garage to say that that's what it sounded like, but they didn't. Is it a worry that he didn't suggest that? Most of the exhaust was replaced.

seashore22

The buzzing sounds like it's coming from the area of the dashboard.

seashore22

AdrianC wrote: »

The "buzzing sound" could well be the exhaust being slightly misaligned and contacting the body or subframe. As it warms up, it'll expand slightly, which might be enough for slight contact.

Aircon - could that simply be the change in ambient temps? Aircon protects itself from freezing, and low-damp-positive ambients are the ideal time for ice to form.

Headlights - stupid question... How clean are the lenses?

External or internal to the lights? It seems clean enough, certainly on the outside.

AdrianC

Is the charge light coming on when you turn the ignition on, before you start the engine?
Does it then go off when you start the engine?

If so, it's very unlikely to be the alternator.

seashore22

Please forgive the stupidity, but is that the battery sign? If so, it lights up when the ignition is turned on and goes off when the engine is started.

seashore22

Forgot to mention that my husband replaced the side light bulb last week. Strong possibility that something went wrong then? He was going to look at that first.

As a side note it wasn't the easiest job to replace the bulb. Why are modern cars so tricky to diy?

AdrianC

seashore22 wrote: »

Please forgive the stupidity, but is that the battery sign? If so, it lights up when the ignition is turned on and goes off when the engine is started.

Yes... Just as it is on damn near every car built since, oooh, the 70s.

seashore22 wrote: »

Forgot to mention that my husband replaced the side light bulb last week. Strong possibility that something went wrong then? He was going to look at that first.

Entirely possible - could be an electrical connection put back together badly or not at all, so it's finding a dodgy path to earth. Could be a loose bumper or light or cover making the buzzing.

As a side note it wasn't the easiest job to replace the bulb. Why are modern cars so tricky to diy?

Because people insist on not dying in crashes, so there's lots of squishy bits up front, and people insist on having lots of electronic toys and aircon and power steering, which all have to go somewhere, and people insist on buying cars that conform to the latest styling trends, which mean big swoopy lights and curvy bits.

System

seashore22 wrote: »

Please forgive the stupidity, but is that the battery sign? If so, it lights up when the ignition is turned on and goes off when the engine is started.

Make sure it is actually going fully off. Try it in complete darkness. When an alternator fails one of the things that can happen is that the battery warning light appears to go off when you've started the engine but is actually very dimly lit and in daylight can be mistaken for looking like it is off as it should.