electrical problem
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 151
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From: Charleston, SC
electrical problem
For the past couple nights, when i start the truck and turn the headlights on, the right turn signal indicator on the dash and my high beam indicator illuminate very dimly. i turned on the turn signal and the indicator didn't blink but when i got out of the truck and looked at it up front my headlight and the running lights were very dim. the turn signal and the curved light above it (next to the headlight) were alternatley blinking but very dimly. i got back in my truck and as soon as i started to drive away it became normal. it's done this a few times so far this week. any ideas? bad ground maybe?
More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 664
Likes: 129
From: Columbia, MD
Only just after starting?
Like the glow plugs are still on, and the volt gage is still showing way low? If so, that's probably normal.
I don't know for sure, but it seems like that at idle, with glow plugs on, the alternator isn't pushing much if any voltage. This might be an alternator longevity feature because the alternator can't push enough current to feed glow plugs & everything else at nominal voltage at idle RPM.
Low voltage... basically batteries under heavy load of glow plugs... will dim the lights and really slow down the flasher controller, and maybe not let it operate at all. Basically what you see with really drained batteries. And if your batteries are weak, they'll be supplying even less voltage until the plugs cycle off and alternator starts pushing nominal voltage.
Try a cold start, when glow plugs stay on for a while. Let idle until volt gage comes up to normal, then see if lights behave normally.
I don't know for sure, but it seems like that at idle, with glow plugs on, the alternator isn't pushing much if any voltage. This might be an alternator longevity feature because the alternator can't push enough current to feed glow plugs & everything else at nominal voltage at idle RPM.
Low voltage... basically batteries under heavy load of glow plugs... will dim the lights and really slow down the flasher controller, and maybe not let it operate at all. Basically what you see with really drained batteries. And if your batteries are weak, they'll be supplying even less voltage until the plugs cycle off and alternator starts pushing nominal voltage.
Try a cold start, when glow plugs stay on for a while. Let idle until volt gage comes up to normal, then see if lights behave normally.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 151
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From: Charleston, SC
but the alternating between turn signal bulb and running light? and i only know of one flasher relay in the fuse box inside the cab. i have to pull that one out and put it back when the turn signal doesnt flash just comes on.
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 151
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From: Charleston, SC
on the back side of the fuse panel? it looks like the round relay thats on the front? aight i'll try it in a min when i get outta work.
