headlights/ dash lights dim

mr .c · Post by **mr .c** » November 10, 2006, 8:57 pm

if this has been cover already i apologies, i did a search and didn't find anything.

when i come to a stop light my lights go dim as well as the dash lights. i had my alternator checked at the auto store and they said it is fine. i looked at some of the connections to my lights and they seem fine. is this a normal thing for older trucks, or should i check something else?. maybe a ground or something?. i will be upgrading my headlights to h4 type using bosch relays and some heaver wire, but i want to get thing right with my old system first. any ideas?

ICEMAN6166 · Post by **ICEMAN6166** » November 11, 2006, 2:00 am

i would check the voltage regulator.could be just the connections are crusty, thats 99% of the problems with older stuff.

jimbob1021 · Post by **jimbob1021** » November 11, 2006, 5:37 am

check the engine to body gound if you dont all ready have one on it install one this should help with your problem in all of the case's that i have run in to with the head light going dim when coming to a stop the body gound has fix it

. jim

jakdad · Post by **jakdad** » November 11, 2006, 7:11 am

Considering the age of these trucks, you might be wise to go to a competent shop and have them hook up their AVR machine on it. This will let you know if the problem is in the regulator or alternator system.

DocDave · Post by **DocDave** » November 11, 2006, 3:23 pm

Many of the older vehicles I have owned have been similar when coming to a stop. The engine idles down, therby reducing the amount of charge coming from the alternator/generator and a noticable dimming of the headlights occur. If this is extreme, you may have a short in your brakelight wireing. Otherwise this is fairly normal in an older vehicle with external (non modern) regulator. If your still concerned or if it seems too much of a dimming effect, then you should (as mentioned above) have an A/V check done at a good shop. This will tell you the condition of your alternator, regulator and battery all at once
My 2 cents
Dave

ICEMAN6166 · Post by **ICEMAN6166** » November 12, 2006, 4:53 am

bad ground is the source of a lot of electrical issues.
oxidation? sp? of copper in wires of age is another.shows up as hard spots in the wire, current flows when the rpm is high, lower there is not enough conductivity.lots of times the wires to the dimmer switch are this way.they get lots of abuse, running along the floor behind the mat.
a lot of the wiring in the older vehicles is small gage with long runs, so there is some voltage drop.
the relay mod fixes the headlight issue and well worth the time and $.
i have mine so hi and low beam will work at the same time if i want.

mr .c · Post by **mr .c** » November 12, 2006, 9:01 pm

thanks iceman, i will be checking the wiring connections,as well as the alt, reg. and ground like you all suggested. by the way i will be going to fairbanks in about 2 weeks to do some work. it's all out side work, probably a little nippely out. i think i got every thing figured out except what gloves to get. i need to be able to wire up some surveillance cameras all outside yet keep my hands from freezing off. any ideas? won't be able to use heavy gloves because i won't be able to strip wires ect? i know this is off topic but i figure the iceman might have a idea...thanks

ICEMAN6166 · Post by **ICEMAN6166** » November 13, 2006, 3:05 am

well i imagine you will be flying directly to Fbks? would like to meet up if possible but its 260 mi from here. send me a pm with your e-mail and ill give you my phone# just in case.
now for the part about working on wiring with gloves, theres no easy way to do it, gloves and small tools and items just dont mix well. find some gloves with thinsulate and a coat with warm pockets.i always need a few pair of gloves, when they get cold and wet, i change them.another trick is to keep the tools warm, use some of the cheap hand warmers they sell at wally world in the pockets and they keep the wire strippers warm.

another thing you will need is light
get something with led, like a led headlight that straps on your head
today in Fbks
http://weather.msn.com/local.aspx?wealo ... c:USAK0083
not much different here
http://weather.msn.com/tenday.aspx?weal ... c:USAK0236

mr .c · Post by **mr .c** » November 13, 2006, 7:44 pm

brrrrrrrr.......thanks iceman will do