Flickering / pulsating digital dash
05-28-2014, 06:39 PM
#22
1st Gear
Member Since: May 2014
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I am having a similar issue with with the dash lights constantly pulsating. It seems to slowly be getting worse as days go by. It is slightly more noticeable when idling in park and even more noticeable idling in drive. It also feels like I have a slight misfire or hiccup at idle. Every time I press the brake pedal (driving or in park) the dash flickers very dim one time and returns to a lightly pulsating. The same effect you get when you turn on the A/C in your house. Also, this has only happened once, I was driving (at night, 22 mile trip) I was approaching my destination the last couple of times I pressed the brake the headlights and everything got extremely dim and my car almost died. I haven't done any type of diagnostics yet. Here is what I do know....
The in-dash volt meter is reading pretty consistently between 13.7 & 14.3 at all times.
The connections to the battery and alternator are clean and solid.
The in-dash volt meter is reading pretty consistently between 13.7 & 14.3 at all times.
The connections to the battery and alternator are clean and solid.
05-28-2014, 07:04 PM
#23
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Dec 2004
Location: Gurley (Keel Mtn, Sweet Home) Alabama
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finding a bad connector on the negative post was good for you, but I'm pretty sure you were on the right track with the alternator being suspect.
Something about ooutput diodes, what I recollect. Weren't all your lights flickering, tail lights in particular noticeable? You see that occurring at times on a passing auto; all the exterior lights would be flickering.
Alternator, good choice for investigation
Something about ooutput diodes, what I recollect. Weren't all your lights flickering, tail lights in particular noticeable? You see that occurring at times on a passing auto; all the exterior lights would be flickering.
Alternator, good choice for investigation
05-29-2014, 02:28 PM
#24
Racer
Thread Starter
If all connections are tight, the alternator itself may be the problem.
I would replace the alternator and see if the problem goes away. If not, it might be some ground issue in the dash itself.
But bad alternator diodes are the most common problem causing the flicker.
I would replace the alternator and see if the problem goes away. If not, it might be some ground issue in the dash itself.
But bad alternator diodes are the most common problem causing the flicker.
05-29-2014, 05:11 PM
#25
Pro
ok, UPDATE and SOLUTION!!!!
Finally after some days I found the time to dig into the matter: I rechecked the battery and alternator again to no avail...
Then I disassembled the digital dash, cleaned it, resoldered everything, added the additional ground wire per batee.com´s instructions and.....nothing....same.
Today I did not plan to work on, just wanted to get something to eat and as I tried to start the engine: totally dead. Everything came on as I put the ignition on but as I went to start the engine every electric device just quit.
No lights, no crank, no dash...
I disconnected the battery and reconnection solves the problem for 2 more cranks then again totally dead while trying to start.
Long story short, I kept a closer look at the battery cables and the negative clamp was the problem. Not the screw that holds it to the battery but the part where the thick cable goes into the clamp itself. The screws were lose!
So the car had an intermittend ground and that is what caused all the problems above!
No more flickering, starts fine, stable voltage.
Problem solved, at least I hope so...
Thanks for all your help and input. At least I now know how the digital dash looks and works inside....
Best regards
Benjamin
Finally after some days I found the time to dig into the matter: I rechecked the battery and alternator again to no avail...
Then I disassembled the digital dash, cleaned it, resoldered everything, added the additional ground wire per batee.com´s instructions and.....nothing....same.
Today I did not plan to work on, just wanted to get something to eat and as I tried to start the engine: totally dead. Everything came on as I put the ignition on but as I went to start the engine every electric device just quit.
No lights, no crank, no dash...
I disconnected the battery and reconnection solves the problem for 2 more cranks then again totally dead while trying to start.
Long story short, I kept a closer look at the battery cables and the negative clamp was the problem. Not the screw that holds it to the battery but the part where the thick cable goes into the clamp itself. The screws were lose!
So the car had an intermittend ground and that is what caused all the problems above!
No more flickering, starts fine, stable voltage.
Problem solved, at least I hope so...
Thanks for all your help and input. At least I now know how the digital dash looks and works inside....
Best regards
Benjamin
06-16-2015, 05:29 PM
#26
Advanced
ok, UPDATE and SOLUTION!!!!
Finally after some days I found the time to dig into the matter: I rechecked the battery and alternator again to no avail...
Then I disassembled the digital dash, cleaned it, resoldered everything, added the additional ground wire per batee.com´s instructions and.....nothing....same.
Today I did not plan to work on, just wanted to get something to eat and as I tried to start the engine: totally dead. Everything came on as I put the ignition on but as I went to start the engine every electric device just quit.
No lights, no crank, no dash...
I disconnected the battery and reconnection solves the problem for 2 more cranks then again totally dead while trying to start.
Long story short, I kept a closer look at the battery cables and the negative clamp was the problem. Not the screw that holds it to the battery but the part where the thick cable goes into the clamp itself. The screws were lose!
So the car had an intermittend ground and that is what caused all the problems above!
No more flickering, starts fine, stable voltage.
Problem solved, at least I hope so...
Thanks for all your help and input. At least I now know how the digital dash looks and works inside....
Best regards
Benjamin
Finally after some days I found the time to dig into the matter: I rechecked the battery and alternator again to no avail...
Then I disassembled the digital dash, cleaned it, resoldered everything, added the additional ground wire per batee.com´s instructions and.....nothing....same.
Today I did not plan to work on, just wanted to get something to eat and as I tried to start the engine: totally dead. Everything came on as I put the ignition on but as I went to start the engine every electric device just quit.
No lights, no crank, no dash...
I disconnected the battery and reconnection solves the problem for 2 more cranks then again totally dead while trying to start.
Long story short, I kept a closer look at the battery cables and the negative clamp was the problem. Not the screw that holds it to the battery but the part where the thick cable goes into the clamp itself. The screws were lose!
So the car had an intermittend ground and that is what caused all the problems above!
No more flickering, starts fine, stable voltage.
Problem solved, at least I hope so...
Thanks for all your help and input. At least I now know how the digital dash looks and works inside....
Best regards
Benjamin
06-17-2015, 01:00 AM
#28
Melting Slicks
Good job.
09-14-2015, 04:33 PM
#31
Pro
05-20-2021, 09:12 PM
#32
1985 Cvette
My dash lights are doing the same thing. My car is also dieing after driving for 5-10 miles down the road. Starts right back up immediately and idles perfect but wants to act like the engine is about to die again until it acts like the fuel pump has quit. I just replaced the fuel pump.