Headlamps browning out
Asked by Guru9FR3QR Dec 16, 2022 at 02:30 PM about the 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe 3.5L SE AWD
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
Alternator replaced with aftermarket which tests OK. Headlamps now dim and
increase repeatedly while on. Hyundai advised that system doesn't like
aftermarket. Headlamps would blink off with turn signal or hard turn prior to
alternator swap out.
4 Answers
Sounds like they maybe right, the alternator is not supplying enough amps to drive all the electrical. Now this could be a bad alternator or even the charging system control as this has a computer controlled charging system, so the entire system should be tested by some shop that know how to do right.
Guru9FR3QR answered 2 years ago
When noticed the first time the shop tested the alternator and replaced it. The second alternator tested properly. The shop was on the phone with Hyundai and was told about the other than Hyundai original issues. The difference in alternators is about $500 from what I was told. May need to search out a second opinion. Thanks for the reply.
Ok Now it’s sounding like an alternator control issue. I haven’t heard of Hyundai having computer sync issues with aftermarket.
If you bought an aftermarket rebuilt alternator the chances are very high that it's defective! Or the computer might need to be flashed (reprogrammed) to accept the aftermarket alternator. Hope that helps! Jim
