Flickering lights!!Help!!

[John G]

I have a 93 EB and the lights flicker. Also, the voltage meter jumps around like a jumping bean until its been running for around 10 minutes. Then it calms down. I cleaned the battery terminals and the battery cable connections. The alternator doesn't make any kind of weird noises like what you would hear when one is starting to go bad. Any suggestions? Could it be the battery or maybe it is the alternator? It doesn't seem to affect the truck but I am sure something is wrong and that it will eventually cause a problem. I would hate to buy a new alternator or battery if it isn't the problem. Is there any way to tell??

 

[Opera House]

I would take

a heavy wire (#10) and run it from the NEG battery terminal to a good ground point on the body. The ground straps rom engine to body sometimes corrode and the only connection to the frame is through the wheel bearings.

 

[John G]

I will try it!!! Thanks

 

[EliteConcept]

your light problem. is it your head lights or all your lights?

 

[John G]

It is all of the lights both inside and outside. They flicker in sync with the bouncing voltmeter needle.

 

[EliteConcept]

maybe the voltage regulator on the alternator?

 

[John G]

is the regulator a separate unit or is it integrated into the alternator? If it is separate; where is it located?

 

[Rhett]

The voltage regulator is in the alternator; I think it can be changed separately, but it may (not sure) cost more to do that than it would to get a new alternator.

 

[John G]

is there anyway to test it instead of taking a chance and replacing it??

 

[Rhett]

Alternators can be tested at an auto parts store like AutoZone. Now as far as testing the voltage regulator itself, I don't know enough about alt's to know if that can be done without removing it from the alternator. If the regulator is going bad though, I would think it would show up when you test the alternator.

Also make sure your battery cables are not corroded or worn up and down their lengths.

 

[Smurfslayer]

same here...

I have the same issue, have had it for 2 years now. After trying the 'alternate ground' fix, new alt., new reg (only), new battery (it expired), and a 2nd new alt & regulator, I had a mechanic friend check out what was happening. It's just not charging sufficiently under 800 rpms (maybe 900). Even though the lights flicker wildly, he said there wasn't that much fluxuation on the meter - about 1/2 volt. The 'solution' would be a smaller alternator pulley or bigger crank pulley...

HTH