well my electrical system is being stupid - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

w/gcd72 · 09-10-2007, 09:20 PM

since ive bought my truck in june, ive started to notice more and more that the lights flicker all the time while driving. ive had to replace one, and the dash is only lighting up the speedo, and only half of the gas gauge lights up. me and my dad have tried to figure out the problem, we know its not the alternator, we think it might be the regulator, but we don't know. im new, and he hasn't worked on his own cars/trucks in awhile. any idea's?

PanelDeland · 09-10-2007, 09:30 PM

The charging system and wiring is 40 years old.The dash lights may be as simple as a bulb change,there are several under the dash behind the guages.You will think you belong in Circ-De-soliel by the time you get to and find all of them.The flickering you see in your headlights is fairly common,if you look in the FAQ's section you will find upgrades for the alternator,headlight wiring with relays, and many other wiring problems.Member krue has done a good job of trying to build an index of the FAQ section it saves a lot of work searching.
You may have a bad regulator or alternator(if the battery doesn't go down the alt is probably good).Also check your v-belt the sides of the belt should contact the sides of the pulleys to give the proper grip for a V-belt.As for changing a light bulb that is just a maintainence item and could happen to a month old car.
BTW the bulbs for the dash lights are small sockets with a flat handle to rotate them and get them out,the bulbs just pull out and new ones push in.

w/gcd72 · 09-10-2007, 09:37 PM

thanks, i figured as much that it probably would be simpler to go to the facts, but i never now. but one thing i forgot, the dash lights flicker in unison with the headlights. i'll go look at what you told me to, thanks

**truckdude239** · 09-10-2007, 09:58 PM

sounds like a good time to chagne to a internal reg alternator http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=119379
did mine in 30 mins paided 39 buxs for the new alt. got it off an 83 chevy k-10 with 350. best thing i ever done no more flicking head lights or anything

wheels67 · 09-11-2007, 12:46 AM

Mine would do the same. So im looking under the hood and tracing wires, and nothing.....................until im inside at the floorboard dimmer switch and it turns out its daisy chained thru that darn little switch!!! Moving it with my hand flickered the light as if i was driving. Bad ground was all it was.

cdowns · 09-11-2007, 07:18 AM

BAD GROUNDS// it continues to amaze me the time wasted amout of parts part changers go thru when lots and lots of time a piece of 80grit sandpaper cleaning up and old rusty ground connection will solve the problem

w/gcd72 · 09-11-2007, 03:15 PM

well then me and my dad will go through it again this weekend and clean up the grounds and see if that helps. thanks guys.

09-10-2007, 09:20 PM	#1
w/gcd72 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Dale, Indiana Posts: 41	well my electrical system is being stupid since ive bought my truck in june, ive started to notice more and more that the lights flicker all the time while driving. ive had to replace one, and the dash is only lighting up the speedo, and only half of the gas gauge lights up. me and my dad have tried to figure out the problem, we know its not the alternator, we think it might be the regulator, but we don't know. im new, and he hasn't worked on his own cars/trucks in awhile. any idea's? __________________ 1972 C10 Custom Deluxe Longbed Fleetside (currently apart in the garage) '69 C10 Custom Deluxe Shortbed Fleetside (all original, including the brown recluses!) 1990 C1500 Shortbed Sportside

09-10-2007, 09:30 PM	#2
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,993	Re: well my electrical system is being stupid The charging system and wiring is 40 years old.The dash lights may be as simple as a bulb change,there are several under the dash behind the guages.You will think you belong in Circ-De-soliel by the time you get to and find all of them.The flickering you see in your headlights is fairly common,if you look in the FAQ's section you will find upgrades for the alternator,headlight wiring with relays, and many other wiring problems.Member krue has done a good job of trying to build an index of the FAQ section it saves a lot of work searching. You may have a bad regulator or alternator(if the battery doesn't go down the alt is probably good).Also check your v-belt the sides of the belt should contact the sides of the pulleys to give the proper grip for a V-belt.As for changing a light bulb that is just a maintainence item and could happen to a month old car. BTW the bulbs for the dash lights are small sockets with a flat handle to rotate them and get them out,the bulbs just pull out and new ones push in. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil" Last edited by PanelDeland; 09-10-2007 at 09:31 PM.

09-10-2007, 09:37 PM	#3
w/gcd72 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Dale, Indiana Posts: 41	Re: well my electrical system is being stupid thanks, i figured as much that it probably would be simpler to go to the facts, but i never now. but one thing i forgot, the dash lights flicker in unison with the headlights. i'll go look at what you told me to, thanks __________________ 1972 C10 Custom Deluxe Longbed Fleetside (currently apart in the garage) '69 C10 Custom Deluxe Shortbed Fleetside (all original, including the brown recluses!) 1990 C1500 Shortbed Sportside

09-10-2007, 09:58 PM	#4
truckdude239 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lewisville, Nc Posts: 10,230	Re: well my electrical system is being stupid sounds like a good time to chagne to a internal reg alternator http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=119379 did mine in 30 mins paided 39 buxs for the new alt. got it off an 83 chevy k-10 with 350. best thing i ever done no more flicking head lights or anything __________________ David fuller Ase Certified Mechanic Click here to help support our board!! 1971 Chevy c-10 under going a 4.8l LSx swap Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=421305 2007 Honda Accord my daily 145kmiles 2002 Honda Accord 4 door With 330k(sisters car) 2005 toyota Avalon 228k( brothers car) 2002 Sububran 5.3 245k 2000 Tahoe 5.3l 378 General manager for Marco's Carwash & lube

09-11-2007, 12:46 AM	#5
wheels67 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: southern Utah Posts: 103	Re: well my electrical system is being stupid Mine would do the same. So im looking under the hood and tracing wires, and nothing.....................until im inside at the floorboard dimmer switch and it turns out its daisy chained thru that darn little switch!!! Moving it with my hand flickered the light as if i was driving. Bad ground was all it was.

09-11-2007, 07:18 AM	#6
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: well my electrical system is being stupid BAD GROUNDS// it continues to amaze me the time wasted amout of parts part changers go thru when lots and lots of time a piece of 80grit sandpaper cleaning up and old rusty ground connection will solve the problem __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

09-11-2007, 03:15 PM	#7
w/gcd72 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Dale, Indiana Posts: 41	Re: well my electrical system is being stupid well then me and my dad will go through it again this weekend and clean up the grounds and see if that helps. thanks guys. __________________ 1972 C10 Custom Deluxe Longbed Fleetside (currently apart in the garage) '69 C10 Custom Deluxe Shortbed Fleetside (all original, including the brown recluses!) 1990 C1500 Shortbed Sportside



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