BAH!! Stoopid electricity! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Cat Fuzz · 12-10-2003, 02:23 AM

Ok, when my truck is idling, in gear, my lights kinda flicker in time with the engine. It doesn't idle all that low, about 800 rpm's. I havn't changed anything and I havn't noticed this before. Do I just have the idle set too low? Unlikely. What could be wrong that causes this?

Longhorn Man · 12-10-2003, 02:28 AM

You have the old stock external regulated system most likely.
Sad enough...it is normal. (good reason to upgrade to a newer internal regulated unit)

Cat Fuzz · 12-10-2003, 02:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Longhorn Man
You have the old stock external regulated system most likely.
Sad enough...it is normal. (good reason to upgrade to a newer internal regulated unit)

Hmm, can you tell me how thats done? I have an internal regulated alternator already.

SWEET7T · 12-10-2003, 02:30 AM

Your headlights go dim a little bit?! Alternators don't put out too many amps at idle, but still, it may be going bad. Take your alternator out and haul it to the auto parts store and have them check it, it's free. Then you will know for sure.

Cat Fuzz · 12-10-2003, 02:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SWEET7T
Your headlights go dim a little bit?! Alternators don't put out too many amps at idle, but still, it may be going bad. Take your alternator out and haul it to the auto parts store and have them check it, it's free. Then you will know for sure.

It's almost new. Just had it warrentied a couple months ago.

They don't go steady dim, they dim and brighten rapidly, in time with the engine.

Tx Firefighter · 12-10-2003, 02:46 AM

Maybe the flicker suppresor is getting worn out.

Cat Fuzz · 12-10-2003, 03:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tx Firefighter
Maybe the flicker suppresor is getting worn out.

Eh, is that a real part or

Tx Firefighter · 12-10-2003, 03:07 AM

Nah, never mind what I said, your model doesn't use one of those.

I was just being stupid. If you ignore me, I'll probably lose intrest and go away.

Hooter · 12-10-2003, 03:14 AM

HAHa flicker dispenser

68LSS1 · 12-10-2003, 03:44 AM

Check your grounds. I'd go ahead and clean the battery ground and there's one for the lights. I think it's on the radiator crossmember or inner fender.

Cat Fuzz · 12-20-2003, 01:46 AM

UPDATE:

It seems to go away as the truck warms up. Grounds seem to be fine.

jorgensensc · 12-20-2003, 01:50 AM

Tx Firefighter
Is that like turn signal fluid??

Rooster's 67 · 12-20-2003, 02:47 AM

nah,
It is more like a loose nut somewhere behind the steering wheel.

Rooster's 67 · 12-20-2003, 02:52 AM

Sorry Cat Fuzz,

Couldnt help myself

Cat Fuzz · 12-20-2003, 03:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rooster's 67
Sorry Cat Fuzz,

Couldnt help myself

LOL!! I get it! I should check the steering wheel nuts!

Rooster's 67 · 12-20-2003, 03:58 AM

BEHIND the STEERING WHEEL........
What is behind the steering wheel????

Rooster's 67 · 12-20-2003, 03:59 AM

it is an old mechanics term,,,,,,,
the person behind the wheel is a loose nut.

no offense meant at all

I just cant help my self some times.

oldyeller · 12-20-2003, 07:48 AM

hey Rooster, you talkin to yourself again ??

Rooster's 67 · 12-20-2003, 10:57 AM

sump-tin like that

WRMZ71 · 12-20-2003, 01:40 PM

WOW we didn't get away from the problem of flickering lights by chance did we????

My guess would be to goose the engine off of the idle and see if it takes care of that. I'd check the ground at the radiator support but i'd also check the grounds in the turn signal lamps up front. The bulb socket in mine was loose awhile back and was causing mass hysteria to my truck!!! Everything was blinking when it wasn't supposed to be!!! If you're grounds are good well then I'd just hook the multimeter to it and check your volts. If the volts thats go to your headlights fluctuate well then it ain't a ground on the lighting side. More than like an alternator or something of the sorts

Cat Fuzz · 12-20-2003, 02:35 PM

No, we havn't found a solution yet. I havn't even looked yet cause its cold and my wife and son have both been sick. Maybe I'll get some time today.

I'm pretty sure that the voltage is fluctuating through-out the electrical system (dash lights, dome light, tail lights all flicker as well). When it is flickering the most is when its cold and my amp gauge twitters a bit to the charge side. Revving the engine only increases the frequency and eventually to a point where its not noticable. I gotta get it up to around 1300 rpm's for that though. But if I had an oscilloscope, I'm sure I could still measure a voltage fluctuation even at higher rpm's.

I just have to fire up my little propane heater in the garage and take a looksy.

Rooster's 67 · 12-20-2003, 03:38 PM

you could have a bad diode trio in the alt, yank it off and have it checked

Cat Fuzz · 12-20-2003, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rooster's 67
you could have a bad diode trio in the alt, yank it off and have it checked

Ah, yes. I hadn't thought of that. I have an ohm meter, I'll just take it apart and check it myself.

Rooster's 67 · 12-20-2003, 04:40 PM

booyah......someone that knows a little bout that durn electricity.

Cat Fuzz · 12-20-2003, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rooster's 67
booyah......someone that knows a little bout that durn electricity.

lol, I have an AA degree in electronics. Forgot some of it, but most of it is like riding a bike.

12-10-2003, 02:23 AM	#1
Cat Fuzz My son, my joy. Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 463	BAH!! Stoopid electricity! Ok, when my truck is idling, in gear, my lights kinda flicker in time with the engine. It doesn't idle all that low, about 800 rpm's. I havn't changed anything and I havn't noticed this before. Do I just have the idle set too low? Unlikely. What could be wrong that causes this?

12-10-2003, 02:30 AM	#4
SWEET7T Try spinnin 4 rear tars Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 757	Your headlights go dim a little bit?! Alternators don't put out too many amps at idle, but still, it may be going bad. Take your alternator out and haul it to the auto parts store and have them check it, it's free. Then you will know for sure. __________________ SWEET7T 1970 C10, 2wd, LB, 307/TH350/3.08. PS, PB

12-10-2003, 02:46 AM	#6
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Maybe the flicker suppresor is getting worn out. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

12-10-2003, 03:07 AM	#8
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Nah, never mind what I said, your model doesn't use one of those. I was just being stupid. If you ignore me, I'll probably lose intrest and go away. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

12-10-2003, 03:14 AM	#9
Hooter My other Love Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Castlegar B.C. Canada Posts: 4,085	HAHa flicker dispenser __________________ Castlegar B.C.The great white North (Canada Eh!) Hooter_5@hotmail.com First generation Monte Carlo club pictures of my life

12-10-2003, 02:28 AM	#2
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	You have the old stock external regulated system most likely. Sad enough...it is normal. (good reason to upgrade to a newer internal regulated unit)

12-10-2003, 03:44 AM	#10
68LSS1 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Tampa Posts: 1,191	Check your grounds. I'd go ahead and clean the battery ground and there's one for the lights. I think it's on the radiator crossmember or inner fender. __________________ '68 Short Step LS1/T56, Hydratech, Fatman Fabrications Stage III, Baer, Hot Rods to Hell, US Body, S&W, etc

12-20-2003, 01:46 AM	#11
Cat Fuzz My son, my joy. Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 463	UPDATE: It seems to go away as the truck warms up. Grounds seem to be fine.

12-20-2003, 01:50 AM	#12
jorgensensc Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Cypress, Tx Posts: 4,005	Tx Firefighter Is that like turn signal fluid?? __________________ 1972 C20 Suburban- Big Blue Betty '56 Chevy Bel Air Sedan- Frame up Restoration -What would you attempt to achieve if you knew you could not fail?- -I Refuse To Tiptoe Through Life, Only To Arrive Safely At Death's Door- R.I.P. EAST SIDE LOW LIFE

12-20-2003, 02:47 AM	#13
Rooster's 67 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: DFW Posts: 765	nah, It is more like a loose nut somewhere behind the steering wheel. __________________ The problem with America is stupidity. I'm not saying there should be a capital punishment for stupidity, but why don't we just take the safety labels off of everything and let the problem solve itself?

12-20-2003, 02:52 AM	#14
Rooster's 67 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: DFW Posts: 765	Sorry Cat Fuzz, Couldnt help myself __________________ The problem with America is stupidity. I'm not saying there should be a capital punishment for stupidity, but why don't we just take the safety labels off of everything and let the problem solve itself?

12-20-2003, 03:58 AM	#16
Rooster's 67 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: DFW Posts: 765	BEHIND the STEERING WHEEL........ What is behind the steering wheel???? __________________ The problem with America is stupidity. I'm not saying there should be a capital punishment for stupidity, but why don't we just take the safety labels off of everything and let the problem solve itself?

12-20-2003, 03:59 AM	#17
Rooster's 67 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: DFW Posts: 765	it is an old mechanics term,,,,,,, the person behind the wheel is a loose nut. no offense meant at all I just cant help my self some times. __________________ The problem with America is stupidity. I'm not saying there should be a capital punishment for stupidity, but why don't we just take the safety labels off of everything and let the problem solve itself?

12-20-2003, 07:48 AM	#18
oldyeller Captain CAAAVVVMMMAAANNN! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Anna Texas Posts: 726	hey Rooster, you talkin to yourself again ?? __________________ 72 LWB Fleetside C10 Custom 350/350 97 GMC Yukon 4X4 SLT Anna, Texas check out the project old yeller

12-20-2003, 10:57 AM	#19
Rooster's 67 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: DFW Posts: 765	sump-tin like that __________________ The problem with America is stupidity. I'm not saying there should be a capital punishment for stupidity, but why don't we just take the safety labels off of everything and let the problem solve itself?



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12-20-2003, 01:40 PM	#20
WRMZ71 Cause the Chicks DIG IT!! Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Beaufort SC Posts: 509	WOW we didn't get away from the problem of flickering lights by chance did we???? My guess would be to goose the engine off of the idle and see if it takes care of that. I'd check the ground at the radiator support but i'd also check the grounds in the turn signal lamps up front. The bulb socket in mine was loose awhile back and was causing mass hysteria to my truck!!! Everything was blinking when it wasn't supposed to be!!! If you're grounds are good well then I'd just hook the multimeter to it and check your volts. If the volts thats go to your headlights fluctuate well then it ain't a ground on the lighting side. More than like an alternator or something of the sorts

12-20-2003, 02:35 PM	#21
Cat Fuzz My son, my joy. Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 463	No, we havn't found a solution yet. I havn't even looked yet cause its cold and my wife and son have both been sick. Maybe I'll get some time today. I'm pretty sure that the voltage is fluctuating through-out the electrical system (dash lights, dome light, tail lights all flicker as well). When it is flickering the most is when its cold and my amp gauge twitters a bit to the charge side. Revving the engine only increases the frequency and eventually to a point where its not noticable. I gotta get it up to around 1300 rpm's for that though. But if I had an oscilloscope, I'm sure I could still measure a voltage fluctuation even at higher rpm's. I just have to fire up my little propane heater in the garage and take a looksy.

12-20-2003, 03:38 PM	#22
Rooster's 67 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: DFW Posts: 765	you could have a bad diode trio in the alt, yank it off and have it checked __________________ The problem with America is stupidity. I'm not saying there should be a capital punishment for stupidity, but why don't we just take the safety labels off of everything and let the problem solve itself?

12-20-2003, 04:40 PM	#24
Rooster's 67 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: DFW Posts: 765	booyah......someone that knows a little bout that durn electricity. __________________ The problem with America is stupidity. I'm not saying there should be a capital punishment for stupidity, but why don't we just take the safety labels off of everything and let the problem solve itself?

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