Technical Flickering lights

[Ucof]

Had something arise that I have noticed for the past few days.


The dashboard and headlights seem to flicker. It's not massive and they don't go out, but it is noticeable if you know it is there.

Am I right in thinking that it is the battery that needs replacing, or is this a normal thing for a car to do?

Thanks in advance all.

 

[Daleyboy10]

does it dim like when you press the brake or use something electrical like an indicator?

cus that what used to happen to mine/ still does every now and then.

i have no idea how to cure it, but as i said it comes and goes

 

[Ucof]

Nope, I havent been able to determine any constants.
It happens when Im sitting at the lights, it happens when Im hurtling along at 70mph.

It does seem however to possibly be related to the ticking over of the engine. I'm thinking that although the battery is being charged, it barely has enough power to run the spark plugs, the lights, the radio and the dashboard illumination at the same time.

I'll turn as much on tomorrow as I can and see if the problem intensifies.

 

[Louie Bee]

My headlights and dash dims now and then too.






:devil::slayer: They go in time with the bass but only when I have the sub bass cranked up :worship:

It's as if the alternator can't power the car and have 30 amps spare to drive my amp .

something to look out for is a bad earth. maybe the one behind the dash, maybe the ones in the engine bay. If you have a voltmeter you can measure the voltage from another sauce to see if it's lower than expected. Got the cheque btw. nice pics

As for the dimming of the dash in time with the indicator / brakes, can it also be seen in the rear light clusters? With the engine off but key on, try putting the car in reverse, sidelights and fog lights. Take a look at the rear clusters, and then turn on the hazards. Are the lights now all badly dipping in time with the indicator? If so, I'd give the connector to the rear light cluster/s a wiggle.

Had this issue before the last MOT bad!. I assumed bad earth but adding a good earth direct made no difference. With a bit of a wiggle and sailed thought the test

 

[Ucof]

"Got the cheque btw. nice pics"

I'm the new Tony Hart


Thanks for the tips, will give it a go tonight. I tried turning everything on to see if it affected how much the lights were dimming, only for me to realise that as it was daytime, I couldnt see either the headlights or the dashboard lights

 

[Daleyboy10]

nice one for the advise, it's been doing my nut in as i can't have the stereo too loud else it cuts off then turns on but only will work again if its low enough for it to power.

but yeah i'll trty the things you suggested this weekend

 

[Louie Bee]

The music issue sounds like it could be a short on the output or too many speakers on each channel (low impedance).

 

[alexGS]

You've been replacing alternators recently - this new flickering fault seems like too much of a coincidence to me

What alternator is in there at the moment? One with good brushes and a known-good voltage regulator? Sounds to me like the voltage regulator is 'dropping out'. If the battery is good, you may not notice symptoms, but my guess is that the battery voltage is varying with the engine idling...

-Alex