Lights fluctuating after start up?!
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Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2010
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From: NY
Lights fluctuating after start up?!
Hey guys, I got something going on electrical wise. When I started up my truck a couple weeks ago I noticed that right after the truck started, the batt. gauge fluctuated from 8 to 14 and back and forth for about 20 seconds. First I thought, stupid stock gauge, then I turned my lights on and they were fluctuating too. Very dim, then normal, then very dim again then normal again and so on up until about 20 seconds then it stops and everything works perfectly. Engine does this every time I start now. My batteries are 1 year old and spin the engine fast so that out of the question. I though of a loose connection but it stop after 20 seconds and doesn't flicker or anything while driving. Thoughts??
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 20,357
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From: Mi'kma'ki
how long have you driven a diesel? 
thats normal.that's the afterglow cycling the glow plugs a bit to keep your engine running good while it first starts.since they draw so much power,you'll see the volts fluctuate and the lights dim and brighten if they're on, until the cycle is complete.
thats normal.that's the afterglow cycling the glow plugs a bit to keep your engine running good while it first starts.since they draw so much power,you'll see the volts fluctuate and the lights dim and brighten if they're on, until the cycle is complete.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2010
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From: NY
Oh wow do I feel stupid, 2 years and I just never noticed it before. I pay closer attention to the gauges ever since I pulled everything apart for the turbo install. I guess every little thing make me uneasy, I was convinced I had never seen it do that before though. I have a vibration in my dash that annoys the mess outta me when driving ever since the turbo too. I'm not sure if its because the timing is off or the turbo added more vibration or a combo of both anyways. I've tried to find it more than once and I think its right behind the radio, so annoying. Anyway, kind of a rant there, thanks.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,496
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From: So. Jersey
Oh wow do I feel stupid, 2 years and I just never noticed it before. I pay closer attention to the gauges ever since I pulled everything apart for the turbo install. I guess every little thing make me uneasy, I was convinced I had never seen it do that before though. I have a vibration in my dash that annoys the mess outta me when driving ever since the turbo too. I'm not sure if its because the timing is off or the turbo added more vibration or a combo of both anyways. I've tried to find it more than once and I think its right behind the radio, so annoying. Anyway, kind of a rant there, thanks.
Vibration. You may not of clearenced the firewall enough for the up-manifold or down-pipe. That's where I'd check.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2010
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Likes: 3
From: NY
Yep, checked there. Heat shield on turbo is clearing, down-pipe and up-pipe are too (I think, I'll have to double check). The vibration sounds like plastic vibration in the dash, not really metal on metal. But I guess if the down-pipe and up-pipe were vibrating through the whole firewall, it would cause the dash to vibrate too. It only vibrates upon acceleration and deceleration and at idle a tiny little bit.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,496
Likes: 94
From: So. Jersey
Yep, checked there. Heat shield on turbo is clearing, down-pipe and up-pipe are too (I think, I'll have to double check). The vibration sounds like plastic vibration in the dash, not really metal on metal. But I guess if the down-pipe and up-pipe were vibrating through the whole firewall, it would cause the dash to vibrate too. It only vibrates upon acceleration and deceleration and at idle a tiny little bit.
Some silicone spray can help with dash squeaks of plastic on plastic joints.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2010
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From: NY
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Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,496
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From: So. Jersey
What like this stuff. It seems like it would help, I guess I could spray some under the dash.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,493
Likes: 3
From: NY
Yep pretty much sounds like plastic buzzing - really annoying especially when I can't find it. I'm gonna check the down pipe clearance today as well as try to get my temp gauge working.
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