Flickering lights

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Oct 10, 2002 | 05:05 AM

4trax

Thread Starter

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Joined: Aug 2002

Posts: 101

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From: Shawano, WI

Flickering lights

I have a 1977 f-250 4x4 with the 351m in it and the lights started flickering. The pace of the flickering is fast they never really go out. This effects all lights would this be a bad ground from frame to body or Voltage reg. or alt. It wasn't doing it all the time before but now it is. Any ideas would help.I was thinking trying a temp. ground from neg. post of batt. to body just to see if that was it and if so then hook up ground like it should be. Or do I try voltage reg. 1st. And yes I did post this on elect. site

PSYCHO 1977 F-250 4x4 472cid 4spd., PSYCHO2 19771/2 F-250 4x4 472cid.auto. Pulling Trucks/Race Trucks and goodies to go with them!!!,1987 Mustang GT 5.0 H.O. SNAKEY2. 1989 Mustang LX 5.0 H.O. Spectator Eliminator!
Not worried about gas mileage just performance!!!

Oct 10, 2002 | 07:30 AM

jalampi

Senior User

Joined: Feb 2002

Posts: 499

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From: Michigan

Flickering lights

If the head lights are flashing on and off when this is happening you will need a head light switch.

1979 F350,4x4,NP435,5:13 gears,Detroit locker in rear with hardened shafts,ABR in the front,L&L Ladder Bars,360 with 428 crank & rods,390 HP heads,Centerforce Dual Friction Clutch,MSD Ignition,39.5x18 Boggers,bucket seats out of a Lightning,& a Southern Body that is perfect.

1997 F350 PowerStroke 4X4,36 Inch Super Swampers, Strait Piped, Chiped, Propane Injected, LUK Clutch

Oct 10, 2002 | 09:11 AM

beartracks

Lead Driver

Joined: Nov 2000

Posts: 6,619

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From: Albuquerque

Flickering lights

Which lights are flickering? Might have lost a diode or two in the alternator.

Oct 10, 2002 | 11:08 AM

Mil1ion

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Joined: Jan 2008

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Flickering lights

Regarding my answer in the electrial forum.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/DCForumID103/724.html

https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/DCForumID103/917.html

https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/DCForumID103/892.html

https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/DCForumID103/687.html

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Oct 10, 2002 | 02:50 PM

FORDNUTTZ

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Joined: Sep 2002

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Flickering lights

sounds like your truck is going PSYCHO

Oct 11, 2002 | 05:03 AM

4trax

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Aug 2002

Posts: 101

Likes: 0

From: Shawano, WI

Flickering lights

Actually it's not my truck it's a buddy of mine who's having the problems. But any way all lights are pulsating very fast. It don't speed up with rpm's.

PSYCHO 1977 F-250 4x4 472cid 4spd., PSYCHO2 19771/2 F-250 4x4 472cid.auto. Pulling Trucks/Race Trucks and goodies to go with them!!!,1987 Mustang GT 5.0 H.O. SNAKEY2. 1989 Mustang LX 5.0 H.O. Spectator Eliminator!
Not worried about gas mileage just performance!!!

Oct 11, 2002 | 03:11 PM

76rangerxltlongbed

New User

Joined: Oct 2002

Posts: 2

Likes: 0

From: Dallas USA

Flickering lights

Its your one of the diodes in your diode pack in the alternator, these prevent these are what take the A/C your alternator produces, and limits it to just flowing in one direction. The flickering is the loss of one of the diodes, cause one of the cycles not make it into your electrical system, it's not too bad, it will shorted the life of your other diodes though. You can buy a Diode pack kit from an auto parts store for $10.00 though.

_____---------__________------------____________---------________

If this were the sine wave of the juice your alternator was putting out, the diodes clip of the lower (-) portion of it to keep the juice flowing (+), anyway if one of the diodes is out, then one cycle (upper section) of your A/C pulse with not make into the DC and instead you will get a dip in power, causing the flicker.

IF there are any electrical engineers reading, don't flame me for being simplistic in my answer, I only claim to have a BASIC understanding of electricity. Feel free to add anything or reword things if you like...

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Oct 12, 2002 | 03:38 AM

macguyver

Posting Guru

Joined: Aug 2002

Posts: 1,214

Likes: 2

From: Minneapolis, MN

Flickering lights

Could be a weak battery or battery connection or other connection in the charging system. If the battery doesn't smooth out the pulses in the charging system you will see a slight flickering in the lights when the regulator switches on and off.
Just my $.02

'77 F-250 Camper Special 400ci
'76 F-250 Supercab 360ci
'71 Mach I 429CJ

huct on foniks wurkt fer me