Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
70 super bee headlights flicker #3067827
08/14/22 12:38 PM
08/14/22 12:38 PM
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 969
manitoba canada
B
BleedDodge Offline OP
super stock
BleedDodge  Offline OP
super stock
B

Joined: May 2003
Posts: 969
manitoba canada
So I was out driving my car around yesterday and it got dark, began driving with the park lights on no problem, got darker so I switched the headlights on, as it got darker outside I could notice the lights shining on the pavement were flickering and the alternator gauge jumping around as they would flicker. Also the dash lights would flicker at the same time. What could be going on, is this a bad ground somewhere or a circuit breaker going out ? Maybe not enough power to the lights for some reason ? Where do I start with this.

Re: 70 super bee headlights flicker [Re: BleedDodge] #3067838
08/14/22 01:04 PM
08/14/22 01:04 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,644
So Near, Yet So Far
topside Offline
Too Many Posts
topside  Offline
Too Many Posts

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,644
So Near, Yet So Far
I'd check the lamp & bulkhead connections for contact or corrosion, check for good grounds, and check the alternator & regulator for performance.
Also check for good connections at battery cables & starter relay + while you're there.
I assume this problem just started occurring ?

Re: 70 super bee headlights flicker [Re: topside] #3067854
08/14/22 02:09 PM
08/14/22 02:09 PM
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,518
Lansing, MI
70gtx440dana Offline
master
70gtx440dana  Offline
master

Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,518
Lansing, MI
Definitely clean your bulkhead connector...all connections. I like to use de-oxit. You should also clean the main connectors under the steering column. Lastly I would be certain to check & clean the two connections at back of amp gauge.

de-oxit


70 Road Runner 383-4 4 speed FJ5 & black guts
70 Charger R/T 440-4 4 speed FJ5 & white guts
Re: 70 super bee headlights flicker [Re: 70gtx440dana] #3067870
08/14/22 02:42 PM
08/14/22 02:42 PM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 19,239
north of coder
moparx Online content
"Butt Crack Bob"
moparx  Online Content
"Butt Crack Bob"

Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 19,239
north of coder
also check the rear lamp circuit for corrosion and ground[s].
look at the headlight switch for any signs of bad connection/meltyness of the switch itself, or the connector.
please keep us informed of what you discover.
beer

Re: 70 super bee headlights flicker [Re: BleedDodge] #3067875
08/14/22 02:55 PM
08/14/22 02:55 PM
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 6,174
nowhere
S
Sniper Offline
master
Sniper  Offline
master
S

Joined: May 2019
Posts: 6,174
nowhere
Originally Posted by BleedDodge
So I was out driving my car around yesterday and it got dark, began driving with the park lights on no problem, got darker so I switched the headlights on, as it got darker outside I could notice the lights shining on the pavement were flickering and the alternator gauge jumping around as they would flicker. Also the dash lights would flicker at the same time. What could be going on, is this a bad ground somewhere or a circuit breaker going out ? Maybe not enough power to the lights for some reason ? Where do I start with this.


Till you fix that all the bulb socket cleaning in the world will do nothing.

the issue is the alternator/vr circuit and as others have said it's probably a dirty connection. Don't forget the ground side of the circuit as well.

Re: 70 super bee headlights flicker [Re: Sniper] #3067922
08/14/22 05:13 PM
08/14/22 05:13 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,050
Niles , Ohio
T
therocks Offline
oh wait.but hey.lets see.oh yeah.
therocks  Offline
oh wait.but hey.lets see.oh yeah.
T

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,050
Niles , Ohio
Still running the old style points regulator?If so dump that first and get the replacement thats solid state and looks just like stock.Rocky


Chrysler Firepower
Re: 70 super bee headlights flicker [Re: topside] #3068012
08/14/22 10:06 PM
08/14/22 10:06 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,193
Omaha Ne
T
TJP Offline
I Live Here
TJP  Offline
I Live Here
T

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,193
Omaha Ne
Originally Posted by topside
I'd check the lamp & bulkhead connections for contact or corrosion, check for good grounds, and check the alternator & regulator for performance.
Also check for good connections at battery cables & starter relay + while you're there.
I assume this problem just started occurring ?


iagree

Re: 70 super bee headlights flicker [Re: TJP] #3068020
08/14/22 10:25 PM
08/14/22 10:25 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,193
Omaha Ne
T
TJP Offline
I Live Here
TJP  Offline
I Live Here
T

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,193
Omaha Ne
Could also be a flaky dimmer switch varying the current to the headlights and in turn making the alternator and other items wig out.
unfortunately I knew a guy many years ago that ignored his flickering h/lights until they went out one cloudy night at a high rate of speed an dhe lost his life when the car slammed into a creek embankment frown pity

Re: 70 super bee headlights flicker [Re: TJP] #3068127
08/15/22 11:39 AM
08/15/22 11:39 AM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 178
Hamburg - Germany
S
SuperRob Offline
member
SuperRob  Offline
member
S

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 178
Hamburg - Germany
Had the same problems, reason was the light switch. It was also getting very hot when the lights were switched on. Cured that with a relay.
If you are stranded with flickering lights and need to go home, you can always disconnect one headlight and take some load of the system.

Re: 70 super bee headlights flicker [Re: SuperRob] #3068130
08/15/22 11:47 AM
08/15/22 11:47 AM
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 969
manitoba canada
B
BleedDodge Offline OP
super stock
BleedDodge  Offline OP
super stock
B

Joined: May 2003
Posts: 969
manitoba canada
Thanks for all the replies guys, I had a friend take a video of me leaving with the car at dusk and in the video I was sent I can see the taillights are dim as well until I nail the gas then all the lights on the car get brighter, it acts like it’s charging and then not charging even tho there is no belt squealing or anything. This alternator was brand new in summer of 2019 so I’m hoping it’s not bad yet.

Re: 70 super bee headlights flicker [Re: BleedDodge] #3068200
08/15/22 03:06 PM
08/15/22 03:06 PM
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 2,065
CA
C
crackedback Offline
top fuel
crackedback  Offline
top fuel
C

Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 2,065
CA
Getting headlight load off the OEM harness does a good job to lessen the issue. I know a guy that makes a nice relay harness specifically for mopars... grin

The other issue, no matter what 70 oem output factory replacement alternator you use, the idle charge being insufficient to power the car is almost always present. Turn on lights, run the heater blower motor and it's really drawing off the battery, which it shouldn't but does, to keep up with loads. That's why the lights brighten up when you get rolling and RPM is up.

Last edited by crackedback; 08/15/22 03:07 PM.
Re: 70 super bee headlights flicker [Re: crackedback] #3068439
08/16/22 11:13 AM
08/16/22 11:13 AM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 19,239
north of coder
moparx Online content
"Butt Crack Bob"
moparx  Online Content
"Butt Crack Bob"

Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 19,239
north of coder
Originally Posted by crackedback
Getting headlight load off the OEM harness does a good job to lessen the issue. I know a guy that makes a nice relay harness specifically for mopars... grin



so do i, and that relay harness works great ! up bow boogie
beer

Re: 70 super bee headlights flicker [Re: BleedDodge] #3068481
08/16/22 01:04 PM
08/16/22 01:04 PM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,007
Bend,OR USA
C
Cab_Burge Offline
I Win
Cab_Burge  Offline
I Win
C

Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,007
Bend,OR USA
Flickering lights have a bad connection on either the positive side or the negative side.
Most people don't know that all the current, power, in batteries leaves the battery on the negative side and returns to the battery on the positive side which makes the grounds connections very important, you CANNOT have to many or too good of grounds scope wrench up

Last edited by Cab_Burge; 08/16/22 01:05 PM.

Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)
Re: 70 super bee headlights flicker [Re: BleedDodge] #3068649
08/16/22 09:20 PM
08/16/22 09:20 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,193
Omaha Ne
T
TJP Offline
I Live Here
TJP  Offline
I Live Here
T

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,193
Omaha Ne
Originally Posted by BleedDodge
Thanks for all the replies guys, I had a friend take a video of me leaving with the car at dusk and in the video I was sent I can see the taillights are dim as well until I nail the gas then all the lights on the car get brighter, it acts like it’s charging and then not charging even tho there is no belt squealing or anything. This alternator was brand new in summer of 2019 so I’m hoping it’s not bad yet.

I would suggest using a DVM to check the alternators output vs what the battery is getting wit the lights on and off at ~ 2500 RPM or so. Ideally the readings should be within .2 to.5 V and about ~ 13.8 to 14.5 and steady depending on the age of the harness etc. If they are jumping around you now know why the lights are doing the same. IF not, you've eliminated the charging system and can start looking elsewhere wink







Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.1