Headlights Dimming

[AS555]

I just bought my 95' Beretta....about a mile from where I bought it the check engine light came on and then about another 5 miles the battery light came on the car didn't shut off though....I put a new alternator in and got my battery tested that is good now...and it was 1 1/2 qrts low in oil and anitfreeze was low fixed the engine light problem too now......but now the car's lights dim if I put the brakes on hard and/or if I have the heat on 3 or higher when I put the brakes on and once in a while at a redlight the lights will dim in and out....another problem I have is my ABS light is on.....does anyone have any suggestions where to start my boyfriend thinks it is my battery but I just got it tested and it starts great in the cold.....so any help would be great!?!?

[CF-Mike]

Originally Posted by AS555

I just bought my 95' Beretta....about a mile from where I bought it the check engine light came on and then about another 5 miles the battery light came on the car didn't shut off though....I put a new alternator in and got my battery tested that is good now...and it was 1 1/2 qrts low in oil and anitfreeze was low fixed the engine light problem too now......but now the car's lights dim if I put the brakes on hard and/or if I have the heat on 3 or higher when I put the brakes on and once in a while at a redlight the lights will dim in and out....another problem I have is my ABS light is on.....does anyone have any suggestions where to start my boyfriend thinks it is my battery but I just got it tested and it starts great in the cold.....so any help would be great!?!?

That still sounds like the alternator or voltage regulator. Check the voltage at the back of the alternator and make sure it is putting out full voltage.

As for the ABS light, that could be a result of the low voltage (a lot of times lights on your dash will illuminate if you have low voltage) or it could be time for a brake check up. Once you fix the voltage problem, if the light doesn't turn off I would take it to a brake shop just to be safe.

[DetroitMuscle]

is 95 OBDI or II?

I forget i had a 89 beretta gt great car, sounds like a voltage regulator.


Have you checked your grounds and make sure they are nice and tight and not corroded?
Have you checked for a short in any of the light wiring?

[AS555]

dumb question time:

what is OBDI and II
and where is the volatge regualtor and how do I test it
and how do I know if putting out full voltage on alternator

my ex always did the electrical stuff.

and will car be okay to drive until I can test it????

[DetroitMuscle]

Its not your battery but its hard to explain in the detail you would need and the special tools.


OBD= On Board Diagnostic
I or II( 1/2) is the generations I believe.

You would need a voltmeter to test the voltage on the alternator, got a mechanic you can consult?

It can be alot of different things.....

You just purchased the car and it did all this? you should have 48-72 hours or 2 weeks to take the thing back, I would have turned right around and taken it back.

[CF-Mike]

96 and newer = OBDII

[Hotwheelz]

I tend to agree with Detroit, i would have turned around and taken the car back!

[AS555]

I bought it private and paid only $500 for the car I knew the ABS light was on and figured it was just a sensor like in my ex bf sisters cavilier....the car runs great otherwise and has power when you hit the gas!