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1983 - 2012 Ranger & B-Series All Ford Ranger and Mazda B-Series models

Lights flicker

Old Jun 13, 2006 | 05:38 PM
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Exclamation Lights flicker

1986 ford ranger 2.9 auto 4x4 my lights just recently started flickering bad. My headlights turn signals, tail lights, dash lights flicker at the same time. my tach needle moves up drastically and my temp gauge goes up. My radio also turns off when this happens. i was thinking that something must be not grounding so i checked all grounds and everything seems fine and i checked all the other wires and they seem fine too. during the day when i dont have my lights on the tach will still move as well as the temp gauge and the radio still goes out. What could be causing this??? thanks again for everyones help in advance.
 
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Old Jun 13, 2006 | 05:42 PM
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i also tested the alternator and it is fine and i checked the belt and tension. otherwise the truck runs great.
 
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Old Jun 22, 2006 | 08:19 PM
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turn signal switch

My truck is starting to show signs of a short in the turn signal switch. Sometimes when I turn on the turn signal my headlights will flicker, maybe this is your problem?
 
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Old Jun 22, 2006 | 09:31 PM
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Sounds like a short in the wiring harness coming from the battery.
 
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Old Jun 22, 2006 | 09:51 PM
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Also check your voltage regulator, it may be bad. I had an F100 with a bad regulator, and everytime I hit the gas, my headlights would get brighter and my windshield wipers would move faster. And as I drove, all my interior lights varied with engine RPM.
 
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Old Jun 23, 2006 | 07:01 AM
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You might try a good quality, heavy gauge, jumper cable, connected in parallel with the battery B- cable between the battery & engine & battery & chassis & see if things improve.

Also try a parallel connection between the B+ cable from the battery to it's connecting point & from the battery B+ post, to the power distribution box.

If things improve with one of the parallel test connections, then suspect that prticular wire, it's connections, or it's crimped on terminal connector.

If all that checks out ok, then run his puppy by your favorite autoparts store & have them do a electrical system check up, with their portable electrial system tester. Most will do it at no cost.

It can properly load test ALL the electrical system components, in the vehicle & will likely sniff out the culprt.

Let us know what you find!!!!
 
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Old Jun 23, 2006 | 07:08 AM
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Put a voltmeter across your battery and see if you see voltage fluctuations.
Does it do this at idle, and higher engine RPMs?
 
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