Dimming Headlights?

Tim99GT · November 25, 2013

So last night I hoped in the truck after shopping at a store and happene to turn the wheel. Well. There was a vehicle parked in front if me and I noticed the lights dimmed while turning the wheel from side to side. Do these new trucks have a auto dim feature that dims the lights while turning so that they aren't so bright to oncommers in a turn? This was the first time I noticed it and haven't read anything about the subject so I thought I'd ask.

Sir Dan · November 25, 2013

The lights were probably just dimming a bit due to the electric power steering working harder as you turned. Never heard of headlights dimming to turn...seems unnecessary to me.

fondupot · November 25, 2013

Yep, like Dan said. The steering is now electric power assist, instead of hydraulic. So that's normal.

Tim99GT · November 25, 2013

Fair enough and I had thought about that but didn't think it would really dim the headlights as much as it did.

Thanks guys

ponchonutty · November 25, 2013

I have always wondered about the moron engineer that says..."hey, lets add another high amperage thing to the already over taxed electrical system". LOL

Sir Dan · November 25, 2013

Not the engineers fault. You have our over-reaching, nanny govt. to thank for this type of thing. They put out CAFE standard mandates and the auto industry has to meet them by law. So expect lighter, flimsier everything on your trucks for as long as they can continue to build them. Full size truck days are numbered if we continue this way.

DRS 95 Silverado · November 25, 2013

While we are talking about headlamps. I'm not sure I like the way the low beams work on my GMC. Out on the interstate its ok, but if you get on some hilly county roads I don't like the way the shutter cuts off the light. Like drawing a line across, completely dark above. Haven't drove it much at night yet, maybe I'm just not use to it. Anyone else notice what I mean?

2016 Sierra Owner · November 25, 2013

Is the electric power steering powered off its own generator? After all it's still belt driven.

BringTheRain403 · November 25, 2013

All off the alternator...

Sent from my SCH-I535

MikeNH · November 25, 2013

While we are talking about headlamps. I'm not sure I like the way the low beams work on my GMC. Out on the interstate its ok, but if you get on some hilly county roads I don't like the way the shutter cuts off the light. Like drawing a line across, completely dark above. Haven't drove it much at night yet, maybe I'm just not use to it. Anyone else notice what I mean?

All projectors seem to be like that. Even the Subaru I had before my current 2011 had a very sharp cutoff and there was no shutter- the low beam was projector and the high beam a normal reflector.

2016 Sierra Owner · November 25, 2013

All off the alternator...

Sent from my SCH-I535

Why is it still belt driven then? So all these fancy components and it does not make it's own power?

"The belt-driven electric power steering system features an integrated

electromechanical power steering unit, containing the power steering

control module, its sensors, the power steering motor, a belt drive and a

ball nut mechanism."

Source... http://sandyblogs.com/techlink/?p=2147

Edited November 25, 2013 by Blue Sierra Owner

Sir Dan · November 25, 2013

Apparently, there's a belt drive system inside the actual rack and pinion motor drive assembly. See the diagram on the linked page. Hope it doesn't require changing very often...

http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2010/05/driving-a-pickup-with-electric-power-steering.html

sirbOOm · November 25, 2014

FYI: I have upgraded the ground wire from the frame to the battery from the original 8AWG to 2 AWG OFC as part of an audio build (of course, then I decided just to ground straight to the battery, haha). After this, reduced if not eliminated headlight dimming and my transmission seems to shift with less clunkification, although that could just be my brain making that part up, but I'll take it. My 2011 Silverado's headlights dimmed when I first turned on the signals... no other car I have ever had did this. My 2014, same thing. Baffles me that this was not engineered out - stupid and embarrassing.

Later I I also added a 2AWG wire from the engine block to the battery and added another OEM grounding strap to the OEM location. This did nothing but cost me time.

I believe the lights at least if not the steering and tranny ground to the frame so their ground would be going through the 2AWG to get to the battery (in theory).

Edited November 25, 2014 by sirbOOm

00Silverado4x4 · November 25, 2014

Apparently, there's a belt drive system inside the actual rack and pinion motor drive assembly. See the diagram on the linked page. Hope it doesn't require changing very often...

http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2010/05/driving-a-pickup-with-electric-power-steering.html

This is insane...so if the belt snaps.....then what???