Headlights and interior lights pulsating

**chris5** · 03-26-2009, 01:57 PM

Just last week I noticed when driving that my headlights constantly stay on, but flicker. like before they were just on steady, now they seem to flicker. not to the point where they go out, but you can just tell that it seems like the bright intensity goes up and down hundrerds of times a second. same with the interior lights. All other accessories are running fine. Is this the sign of some electrical problem?

**dklowrider** · 03-26-2009, 03:09 PM

Originally Posted by chris5

Just last week I noticed when driving that my headlights constantly stay on, but flicker. like before they were just on steady, now they seem to flicker. not to the point where they go out, but you can just tell that it seems like the bright intensity goes up and down hundrerds of times a second. same with the interior lights. All other accessories are running fine. Is this the sign of some electrical problem?

good guess would be the voltage regulator. its in the alternator. or maybe you been partying too much.

**chris5** · 03-27-2009, 06:36 AM

Originally Posted by dklowrider

good guess would be the voltage regulator. its in the alternator. or maybe you been partying too much.

hahaha lol. well will the voltage regulator get worse or can i just ignore this problem?

**devil6rr** · 03-27-2009, 06:46 AM

Finally some one else with the same problem as me!!!!!

All i can tell you is it is prob the regulator as stated already! Mine has been doing this for about 2yrs now with no real issues caused by it other than until the car fully warms up the volt gauge reads really high causing my amps for my subs to shut off! i figured ill just wait till it dies

let me know if you change your alt and it cures this problem

**dklowrider** · 03-27-2009, 09:24 AM

Originally Posted by chris5

hahaha lol. well will the voltage regulator get worse or can i just ignore this problem?

the alt. pretty much just keeps your battery at around 12.5-13 volts as you are using its reserve power. if you notice your volt gauge reads about that when you turn the key on, with the engine running it should read about 14. the regulator tells the alternator when juice is being used from the battery so it can replace it. if theres no demand it shuts down so it doesnt over charge the battery. your lights flickering is the regulator not making up its mind if the alternator should send current or not causing your lights to be drawing power without it being kept up by the alt. intermitently. you could end up with a bad battery if you dont fix it. dont buy the junk rebuilt stuff from chain stores [although you could get a good one] i would find a local auto electric shop and have yours rebuilt.

**dklowrider** · 03-27-2009, 09:35 AM

Originally Posted by chris5

hahaha lol. well will the voltage regulator get worse or can i just ignore this problem?

the regulator allows the current from the alternator to go to the battery when there is a current draw, and keeps the battery from being over charged when there is not. your regulator[at least this appears to be your prob.] cant make up its mind whether to charge the battery or not which results in alternating full power and just using reserve from the battery hence the appearance of flickering lights. if you dont fix it you could ruin your battery,or the reg could go out altogether which will shut you down when you least expect it.
i would find a local auto electric shop and have it rebuilt. i never had much luck with off the shelf rebuilt electrical components.

**dklowrider** · 03-27-2009, 09:37 AM

ok this is a computer genius at work here. i thought i lost the first one so i rewrote it. put the two together and you might have something!

**chris5** · 03-30-2009, 07:13 AM

okay thanks for the responses. so are you saying i should replace the whole alternator or just the regulator?

**dklowrider** · 03-31-2009, 02:03 PM

Originally Posted by chris5

okay thanks for the responses. so are you saying i should replace the whole alternator or just the regulator?

since you have to pull the alternator anyway id have it checked out by an automotive electric shop like i said earlier. no sense putting it back in with a new regulator and having something else go wrong.