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72 Satellite All lights flicker but less when more acc #84144
07/04/08 10:35 PM
07/04/08 10:35 PM

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Rookie mopar guy here again. I noticed all lights were flickering tonight. Started looking around and noticed as I turned on more accesories, it did it less. Also, volt meter reads between 16-18 v when lights are flickering. (Meter is jumping too) Previous owner put electronic ignition in car. As a shortcut, he cut and spliced the wire for distributer into the blower motor fan for the heater. Could this be problem or alternator or?? I noticed car sounds like it is missing a little when volt meter is jumping. I realize that someone was cutting and splicing wires before I got car and this problem could be a number of issues. Just looking for a starting point. Thanks. This has been a great website for a rookie mopar guy!! Happy 4th!!

Re: 72 Satellite All lights flicker but less when more acc #84145
07/05/08 01:54 AM
07/05/08 01:54 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,064
Arlington, Texas
earlybee Offline
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Re: 72 Satellite All lights flicker but less when more acc [Re: earlybee] #84146
07/05/08 09:30 PM
07/05/08 09:30 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
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ahy Offline
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That's a lot of extra voltage. Should be 13 - 14.2 or so with a standard regulator. Most likley like a bad regulator but could be a weak connection in the bulkhead connector or ammeter or even a short in the alternator.

Suggest you get your alternatgor checked (free at Autozone and others) and pick up a new voltage regulator. Install both and see if the problem is solved.

If not, it will be time to check wiring.

Re: 72 Satellite All lights flicker but less when more acc [Re: ahy] #84147
07/05/08 11:28 PM
07/05/08 11:28 PM

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Quote:

could be a weak connection in the bulkhead connector or ammeter or even a short in the alternator.

Suggest you get your alternatgor checked (free at Autozone and others) and pick up a new voltage regulator. Install both and see if the problem is solved.






If the voltage IS jumping way up, it's probably not the alternator. An alternator problem is almost always NOT the cause of overcharging, but it 'could' happen in rare cases.

It most certainly could be a regulator going south.

Frankly, I'd find some GOOD diagrams, and go through and either replace the harness, or get them back to 'factory' again. Chopped up wireing is NEVER a good deal.

First thing I'd ask is what is this voltmeter you are using, I.E. how do you know it's accurate?

This could be as simple as a bad ground. The battery, chassis (body), engine block, and regulator case MUST BE all connected by one good ground.

With the car charging at a good fast idle, I.E. with lights/ blower on, measure RIGHT FROM the negative battery post with one voltmeter probe, and put the other probe RIGHT ON the regulator case. There should be VERY LITTLE reading, the less the better. More than a few tenths, and certainly more than 1/2 volt indicates a problem in the ground path.

Last edited by 440sixpack; 07/05/08 11:29 PM.
Re: 72 Satellite All lights flicker but less when more acc #84148
07/05/08 11:34 PM
07/05/08 11:34 PM
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 21,808
Kirkland, Washington
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16-18 volts???? Thats hard to believe. I would think you are burning out light bulbs left and right. IF your voltmeter is good, then 1) check the voltage regulator ground--one of the mounting bolts HAS to make good ground contact to the firewall, 2)check your chassis to engine ground strap conections, 3)replace the Voltage regulator!!

Re: 72 Satellite All lights flicker but less when more acc [Re: Pacnorthcuda] #84149
07/06/08 11:17 AM
07/06/08 11:17 AM

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Thanks for all who have responded. My car has a voltage regulater on the firewall. The alternator on the car has 2 pulleys. Autozone said that a twin pulley alternator has an internal regulator. Also, I unplugged my voltage regulator on the firewall. Car's lights stopped flashing but was not charging well. I will start with a mopar wiring diagram.

Re: 72 Satellite All lights flicker but less when more acc #84150
07/06/08 11:25 AM
07/06/08 11:25 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 32,884
Grand Prairie,Texas
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Find another parts store. Mopar didn't use built in regulators. That's GM.







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