I Don't Know You Tell Me?

[jonnyICE-MAN]

I purchased a '97 Ford Escort with a 2.0 back in febuary and the problem is everytime i'm driving down the road with the vent switch off and decide to turn it on for heat or air my headlights will dim for a split second and the motor seems to lose power slightly for a second and it repeats itself periodicly? It don't seem to get worse or better with time, it don't worry me but it's kindof annoying. I was wondering if anybody could tell me what is causing this. I was thinking maybe a bad altenator but you would think it would have took a [PoorWordUsage] or gotten worse by now. Any advice will be appreciated thanks in advance.

[zamboni]

Go to a parts house and have them test your alternator. Airjer will correct me if I am wrong, but they can do that without it being removed

[Jeremy airjer W]

Sounds like the A/C Compressor kicking in and out.

[Scott K]

Sounds normal, the ac compressor will kick in and it loads the engine and the rpms drop, this will reduce the power and the output from the alt. Although I would still have your battery and charging system check to make sure niether of them are getting weak.

[hondavxr]

Maybe your car is just HAUNTED!!!! Sorry had to throw in the halloween reference. If the lights dim when you have the a/c on its normal, cuz the compressor is kicking on and off.