Flickering volt needle and headlights
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Elder User
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Flickering volt needle and headlights
Don’t drive my 84 much at night, still trying to work out bugs. I’d noticed volt meter needle ticking back and forth rapidly, at a nervous pace. Moving around yard at night, noticed the headlights have same nervous tic.
voltage regulator flying south?
voltage regulator flying south?
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
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From: Angier, NC
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2013
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Are you trying to scare the poor guy? I’d specifically suggest NOT reading that thread. Eight pages of frustration, and still no voltage reading to show what is happening.
For this problem, I’d suggest taking a voltage reading at the battery while the fault is active. Also, add a ground wire between the alternator case, voltage regulator base, and the battery’s negative terminal. Inspect the wiring harness from the alternator output over to the starter relay, just aft of the battery.
Does the rate of fluctuation vary with engine speed?
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,912
Likes: 4,123
From: Angier, NC
Are you trying to scare the poor guy? I’d specifically suggest NOT reading that thread. Eight pages of frustration, and still no voltage reading to show what is happening.
For this problem, I’d suggest taking a voltage reading at the battery while the fault is active. Also, add a ground wire between the alternator case, voltage regulator base, and the battery’s negative terminal. Inspect the wiring harness from the alternator output over to the starter relay, just aft of the battery.
Does the rate of fluctuation vary with engine speed?
For this problem, I’d suggest taking a voltage reading at the battery while the fault is active. Also, add a ground wire between the alternator case, voltage regulator base, and the battery’s negative terminal. Inspect the wiring harness from the alternator output over to the starter relay, just aft of the battery.
Does the rate of fluctuation vary with engine speed?
Maybe he should start at the last post and work to the first or what not to do for fixing it LOLI was pointing out there are others with the same issue ....... yea that's it and I am sticking to it
Dave ----
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: St Albert, Alberta
The most likely culprits are a poor connection at the regulator. (Check to make sure the regulator's pins are clean and free from corrosion and the terminals in/on the connector have not gone south broken cracked/corroded). Bad regulator ground or the regulator has gone south, most have a cap in them to dampen the resonance in the sense circuit if it fails you can get pulsing. Regardless a quick check of wiring condition and connections should be looked at it. Can't say as I have seen a bad alt ground as the Alt just won't really function without good ground, but anything is possible.
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Elder User
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Well, I think I have a bad new battery. Not running, it’s all mildly free ranging. I know I’m over 55 but my hands aren’t shakey. Free ranging from 13.1 up to 13.4.
Truck running, volts at battery free ranging, or wandering, between 14.1 and 14.3 or 14.4 volts.
Truck running, volts at battery free ranging, or wandering, between 14.1 and 14.3 or 14.4 volts.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Waterloo, Iowa
What voltmeter are using? When a modern DVOM internal battery gets weak (9 volt say) the voltage displayed can get wonky. Those battery voltages you mention look reasonable. I guess it's possible, but I'd try a different meter before condemning the battery.
A battery with a bad cell is characteristic at ~10.5 volts
A battery with a bad cell is characteristic at ~10.5 volts
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2013
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As Tedster suggested, replace the meter's internal battery as a precaution. Then test the meter on another vehicle's battery.
The 13.1 - 13.4 you recorded at rest seems a bit high. Usually you'll see around 12.6 - 12.8 with a fully charged battery. With the engine off, turn on the headlights for about 30 seconds to burn off any surface charge. Then kill the lights and measure again. Take your readings right on the battery posts, not the cable terminals.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: St Albert, Alberta
The dampening cap in the sense circuit in the regulator failed. Glad to hear you got it fixed.
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