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12-13-2010, 12:59 PM | #1 |
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Lights dimming at idle.
When the truck is at idle the head lights and dash lights dim. Whae I give it gas they come back. Anyone know a possible cause? Could it be battery or charging system? Maybe I need to clean the battery trminals?
Last edited by tdp67; 12-13-2010 at 01:00 PM. |
12-13-2010, 01:08 PM | #2 |
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Re: Lights dimming at idle.
what year is the truck? or more importantly, what alternator are you using? it used to be normal for the charging system to not keep up at idle. those 35 amp alternators cant keep the headlights going at idle
it sounds like the alternator is not giving enough juice at low rpm
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Last edited by Allensracing; 12-13-2010 at 01:09 PM. |
12-13-2010, 01:10 PM | #3 | |
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Re: Lights dimming at idle.
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12-13-2010, 01:11 PM | #4 |
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Re: Lights dimming at idle.
do you have the original style alternator with an external regulator?
there should be a model style and amperage rating on the side of the alternator.
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12-13-2010, 01:12 PM | #5 |
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Re: Lights dimming at idle.
Can you tell by the pics?
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12-13-2010, 01:13 PM | #6 |
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Re: Lights dimming at idle.
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12-13-2010, 01:15 PM | #7 |
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Re: Lights dimming at idle.
I see a plug on the back with a blue and white wire. is it aiming straight back to the firewall, or is it aiming up towards the hood?
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12-13-2010, 01:19 PM | #8 |
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Re: Lights dimming at idle.
those rubber gas lines are an excellent source of nice big fires//i'd worry about that first
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12-13-2010, 01:32 PM | #9 |
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Re: Lights dimming at idle.
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12-13-2010, 01:33 PM | #10 |
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Re: Lights dimming at idle.
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12-13-2010, 01:35 PM | #11 |
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Re: Lights dimming at idle.
I dunno, even the factory uses rubber fuel lines. just make sure its "fuel" and not something else written on the line
I have changed a few to steel braided line, and they can leak also
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Last edited by Allensracing; 12-13-2010 at 01:36 PM. |
12-13-2010, 01:42 PM | #12 |
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Re: Lights dimming at idle.
From the looks of it, thats a one wire alternator and they all are bad about not putting out enough amps at idle. The best way to get around it is to upgrade to a CS130 alternator. There are a few FAQ's on it on the Electrical FAQ on how to do it.
I had the same issues when I went to a one wire alternator and upgrading solved my problems. You might want to see if your voltage regulator is bypassed or not, as the newer style you have does not use the external regulator. Its on the core support below the driver's side headlight. The plug should have jumpers on it to bypass the output voltage of the alternator.
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12-13-2010, 01:45 PM | #13 |
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Re: Lights dimming at idle.
GM produced about a gizillion with metal fuel lines, have seen many home brew rubber ones burn to the ground over the past 40 years or so but never one with a nice metal fuel line
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12-13-2010, 01:49 PM | #14 |
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Re: Lights dimming at idle.
Red, if my memory serves me, the blue and white wires are the factory alternator control wires. that looks to me like the original alternator with an external regulator. it is hard to tell from the picture, but there is nothing else up there for the blue and white wires.
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12-13-2010, 01:55 PM | #15 | |
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Re: Lights dimming at idle.
Quote:
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12-13-2010, 02:01 PM | #16 |
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Re: Lights dimming at idle.
looks to me like someone polished the original alternator. it looks like the shape of the external regulator style.
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12-13-2010, 02:07 PM | #17 |
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Re: Lights dimming at idle.
I'm pretty sure by the VIN that this was originally a 6 cyl. Wouldn't that be a different alternator?
Last edited by tdp67; 12-13-2010 at 02:07 PM. |
12-13-2010, 02:12 PM | #18 | |
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Re: Lights dimming at idle.
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the brackets for a 6 cyl are different from a v8 when you get home, take a picture of the back of the alternator. that will pretty much tell all. has this problem always been there, or is it new?
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12-13-2010, 02:15 PM | #19 | |
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Re: Lights dimming at idle.
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Last edited by tdp67; 12-13-2010 at 02:16 PM. |
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12-13-2010, 02:17 PM | #20 |
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Re: Lights dimming at idle.
Are you sure that the belt is tight? That could be a simple answer.
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12-13-2010, 02:19 PM | #21 |
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Re: Lights dimming at idle.
here you go.
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12-13-2010, 02:19 PM | #22 |
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Re: Lights dimming at idle.
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12-13-2010, 03:16 PM | #23 | |
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Re: Lights dimming at idle.
External reg 10DN alternator.
12SI internal reg alternator.
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12-13-2010, 03:28 PM | #24 |
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Re: Lights dimming at idle.
-
I lightened his picture up a little so it would be easier to see. lockDoc
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12-13-2010, 05:35 PM | #25 |
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Re: Lights dimming at idle.
It looks exactly like the 100amp one wire I had on my 71 that did the same thing until I upgraded to CS130.
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