Flickering lights ....

Discussion in 'Technical' started by dmhines, Sep 29, 2004.

  1. dmhines

    dmhines Dixie Maverick Boy

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    I have a brand new alternator, regulator, etc ... but my headlights and interior lights flicker at a steady rhythm as RPM goes up and down ... any ideas?
     
    dmhines, Sep 29, 2004
    #1
  2. Jean Doll

    Jean Doll Maverick Restoration Tech

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    There is only one thing I can think of that may cause the lights to flicker that way: faulty ground wires. Have you checked them to see if any of them are loose or have any frayed ends?
     
    Jean Doll, Sep 29, 2004
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  3. mavman

    mavman Member

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    my mustang does the same thing. All grounds have been checked, but I still can't figure it out.
     
    mavman, Sep 29, 2004
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  4. Acornridgeman

    Acornridgeman MCCI Wisconsin State Rep Moderator Supporting Member

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    This won't help you pinpoint it - but 99% of all 12v electrical problems like this are from a bad ground someplace.

    Did you remove the wiring harness or dash when you did the resto? You may need to go over all the grounds again. Check all the attachment places for the harness and the main ground, especially if repainted. Another little test is to hook a jumper cable up to the neg and then try a couple of good grounding spots to see if things get brighter. Double check all the connections to make sure they are tight too.
     
    Acornridgeman, Sep 29, 2004
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  5. Bluegrass

    Bluegrass Jr. mbr. not really,

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    Grounds are the main cause of these problems.
    You should monitor the charge voltage from idle to at least 2000 rpm to see if it is riseing. If so you still have a charging issue.
    A regulator will still do this if defective. It allows the alternator to run without control. Test for it.
    Don't just try to rely on them being new.
     
    Bluegrass, Sep 29, 2004
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  6. dmhines

    dmhines Dixie Maverick Boy

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    I don't have a charging issue .. just the flickering ... I had alot of stuff disconnected so I'll go over all the grounds again ... Thanks ..
     
    dmhines, Sep 29, 2004
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  7. riporter

    riporter Member

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    I have the same problem Dan...not constantly...sporadically. I figured it was the switch..may be time for a new one. This is easy enough to check...just pull it and bypass it and see it it still does it if its a constant thing.
     
    Last edited: Sep 29, 2004
    riporter, Sep 29, 2004
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  8. dmhines

    dmhines Dixie Maverick Boy

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    Hmmmm ... would the power for the dome light be going through the switch if the door is open?
     
    dmhines, Sep 29, 2004
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  9. riporter

    riporter Member

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    2 totally different wire feeds I believe as the door switch has to work independently of the light switch
     
    riporter, Sep 29, 2004
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  10. PINKY

    PINKY .....John Ford.....

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    spark jump????????
    hmmmm that was my problem......could listen to the radio all day with the engine off.....when it was running,,,,,,,,it would flinker the radio off/on/off/on every now and then.....really became a pain in the azz when I was "jamming" to Seven Mary Three"
     
    PINKY, Sep 30, 2004
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  11. stockhatch

    stockhatch Re Member

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    I had the same problem with mine (back when it ran) and it was a bad ground. The radio would pop on and off sometimes and the headlights would flicker. The electrical shop just added another small ground(10AWG I think) from the neg battery post to the chassis. Never had any more issues.

    AC
     
    stockhatch, Sep 30, 2004
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  12. dmhines

    dmhines Dixie Maverick Boy

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    Thanks ... sounds like running a wire may be a good test to see if it is a grounding issue ...
     
    dmhines, Sep 30, 2004
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