Steering affects headlight brightness.

[alexaescht]

Hi guys, since new our 2011 TDI has had this weird thing where if you have the lights on and you quickly turn the steering wheel, the lights flicker between normal and more dimmed. It even affects the interior lights.
I know that the power steering is electric but our 2012 Renaut Megane's steering is also electric and does not have the slightest hint of this issue.

Thanks for any help,
alexaescht.

[gavs]

Dealership mate, sounds like too much strain on the electrical system or dodgy earth...

[danielv10]

Mine does it to some degree too. I don't notice once I'm driving but when I pull up to the garage or leaving with the lights on, I can see slight dimming with turning of the steering wheel. Don't know how bad your one is though. My interior lights are fine..

[alexaescht]

Thanks guys, ill take that on board.
It does seem better once your driving, but it is very noticeable when stationary. We'll get it looked at when we get the rear pads replaced.

Thanks again,
alexaescht.

[Kez]

Mine dim if I use the auto windows, but I have come from an 04 golf and that did it also so I'm not bothered, I figure it's normal/nothing to be worried about.

[gavs]

Another one I forgot is a dodgy battery could cause it too...

[Vdubboys81]

Thanks guys, ill take that on board.
It does seem better once your driving, but it is very noticeable when stationary. We'll get it looked at when we get the rear pads replaced.

Thanks again,
alexaescht.

hey Alex,

Ours does the same, have you had yours looked at by a dealer? If so what was the outcome?

Cheers mate

[alexaescht]

Steering affects headlight brightness.

hey Alex,

Ours does the same, have you had yours looked at by a dealer? If so what was the outcome?

Cheers mate

Nah haven't had it to the dealer for ages haha, we've been going to a mechanic just down the road from them (Berwick Prestige) because the stealership is so bloody expensive.

But a few things need to be done, so next service might be done at the stealer.

[mythik]

The OP described issue is normal. As the polo uses electromechanical steering and as the alternator puts out a lower current level at idle the 12v rail dips from the higher alternator induced voltage of ~14.5 to the battery voltage of ~12.5 as the load of the steering drags down the voltage consequently the lights dim showing this occurring.

Don't stress about it.

[Bassik]

I have the same issue but due to my Xenon Retro fit my LEDs can't dim so they just flicker on and off. It's really annoying but I can't think of anything that could causing it other then lack of voltage to the lights or reduced current when power steering is active.

[alexaescht]

Steering affects headlight brightness.

It does seem a bit strange though that the super-duper light steering (and so super-duper high voltage, I imagine) electro power steering in mum's Megane makes no difference at all to the brightness of anything.

[wai]

How is the vehicle driven? Short journeys might not allow the battery to charge properly.

It might be worthwhile to have the state of charge checked out by a battery specialist.

[alexaescht]

Steering affects headlight brightness.

How is the vehicle driven? Short journeys might not allow the battery to charge properly.

It might be worthwhile to have the state of charge checked out by a battery specialist.

The Polo gets driven almost 200 km a day, all on 100km/h freeways.

The Megane gets driven about 25 km a day on urban roads.

[nomadx38]

Don't forget the 1.2 / 1.6L engines have extremely small alternators and produce very little power at idle (which is also the time when the power steering will be fully used such as for parking)

Every Polo I have seen does it without fail, the only thing that depends how much it dims is how much you are dry turning (which requires more power to turn) and how fast you are going (the faster the more power the alternator can make)

Not something I would worry about mate...unless is was EXCESSIVE like the lights were going completely out! That may indicate a leak in the circuit...

[wai]

The Polo gets driven almost 200 km a day, all on 100km/h freeways.

The Megane gets driven about 25 km a day on urban roads.

There should not be an issue with charging, however the alternator might need checking to make sure it is outputting properly.

On another issue, I like your avatar. Some years ago I did work for the industrial diesel division of the then Daimler Chrysler, and they had a little handbook that had fully dimensioned drawings of their logo, complete with details of colour and how, when and where to use the logo. It must be a German thing