Pulsating Lights

[89K5guy]

Pulsating lights
I asked this question a few months ago with almost no results My lights (all of them)pulsate,flicker ,whatever you want to call it as soon as I pull them on,whether full headlights or just parking lights.The factory volt gage and a handheld volt meter both show between 13 and 14 volts with engine running.
Could it be that the alternator isn't supplying enuff amps and causing the pulsating/flickering effect?The alternator looks old and is probably stock or is a replacement with a low amp rating.Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[NoReGrEtS]

sounds like you need to replace your head light switch. changed mine and it fixed it

 

[AZ79K5Project]

Check your ground straps as well. I had a similar problem, all caused by bad ground straps.

 

[diesel4me]

yup--grounds!...

Sounds like a bad ground,or lack of a ground strap somewhere that needs one..also a bad diode in the diode trio in the alternator can cause flickering of lights sometimes..its possible to blow only one or two of the diodes out of the three,and it'll still charge and work,but not at 100% output...a bad regulator can do this too,but most of the time its a wiring or ground issue..

 

[89K5guy]

The lights don't pulsate/flicker with the engine OFF.Only when running.
Alternator problem???
I am going to clean and sandpaper all the ground connections to the radiator
support and from the battery to the engine block.All the grounding straps to the firewall are present.Any other ideas?

 

[4xcrazy]

I would say a bad alternator, been through this before myself.

 

[89K5guy]

Well it looks like I should just pull the alternator off and get it checked.
Where can I get higher amp rated alternator without having to mail order
it?

 

[AZ79K5Project]

Do the lights pulse brighter or dimmer when the engine is running compared to eninge off?

 

[4xcrazy]

Do the lights pulse brighter or dimmer when the engine is running compared to eninge off?

He's already said they don't pulsate when the engine is off, this is why i believe it to be the alternator, or a bad regulator,,,which is inside the alternator anyways...

i think i understand where you are going with the possible "dimmer" pulsing, but i am willing to bet is definately an alt prob.