justinwebb Posted September 30, 2008 Report Share Posted September 30, 2008 so lately my gauge cluster my tail lights and parking lights all have this crazy pulse to them while the car is running. Checked all grounds checked the alternator output while car was running at the battery and got 14. something and battery with car off is 12.6 so all seems well. Havent changed out the alternator yet cause it seemed to be working ok. What would make the lights pulse like crazy? anything i have over looked? thought about taking it to autozone and have them test the alternator. Its quite annoying though so any help would be great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mopar Posted September 30, 2008 Report Share Posted September 30, 2008 it may be an alternator relay. my buddy had a similar problem with his honda, pretty sure it was an alternator relay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lawnman Posted September 30, 2008 Report Share Posted September 30, 2008 I had that problem with a car . It ended up being the aftermarket alarm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zach1647545520 Posted September 30, 2008 Report Share Posted September 30, 2008 I know on F-bodies it would be the alternator. If that has any meaning to you. lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justinwebb Posted September 30, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2008 i figured it was the alternator too but its putting out like 14.6 which seems fine to me but i am gonna take it to autozone to have them test that and the battery then go from there. Then i have found out that the harness can rub up against the manifold and eventually short out so i might check that and the relay like stated just to make sure. I just dont want to fry anything driving it like that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cordell Posted September 30, 2008 Report Share Posted September 30, 2008 Diodes going out in the alternator would be my guess. Go have it checked, voltage isn't going to tell you. It needs to be hooked up to machine that checks diode ripple and output. Advanced and autozone should do it for free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zach1647545520 Posted September 30, 2008 Report Share Posted September 30, 2008 Well my alternator puts out what's required too. But I think it's the voltage regulator in it that goes bad and makes it flicker. Just some thoughts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justinwebb Posted September 30, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2008 yea i was hoping on just the alternator too cause i got one from a buddy for 20 bucks just hate taking it places makes me feel like a dumbass...and if it is the alternator they are a bitch to change on the hondas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mopar Posted September 30, 2008 Report Share Posted September 30, 2008 he replaced his alternator twice, nothing changed. the harness rubbing on the manifold shorted out the relay or a fusible link.....i just can't exactly remember which. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cordell Posted September 30, 2008 Report Share Posted September 30, 2008 he replaced his alternator twice, nothing changed. the harness rubbing on the manifold shorted out the relay or a fusible link.....i just can't exactly remember which. If that's the case have it tested, and if it has proper output it may just be something unique to his car. Diag is your friend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zach1647545520 Posted September 30, 2008 Report Share Posted September 30, 2008 If that's the case have it tested, and if it has proper output it may just be something unique to his car. Diag is your friend. this is troof! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Removed Posted September 30, 2008 Report Share Posted September 30, 2008 your seeing the diode ripple in the lighting. change the alternator. one of the one way diodes in the casing itself is shorting/ going out. hence why the lights are flickering! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cordell Posted September 30, 2008 Report Share Posted September 30, 2008 your seeing the diode ripple in the lighting. change the alternator. one of the one way diodes in the casing itself is shorting/ going out. hence why the lights are flickering! Thanks for agreeing with me. I hate for you to have to prove me wrong. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Removed Posted September 30, 2008 Report Share Posted September 30, 2008 yea i was hoping on just the alternator too cause i got one from a buddy for 20 bucks just hate taking it places makes me feel like a dumbass...and if it is the alternator they are a bitch to change on the hondas not unless you have a h22 in a civic.. you could be having a grounding issue if its not the alt! but without a dvom, amp meter etc(and the car of course) im just guessing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Removed Posted September 30, 2008 Report Share Posted September 30, 2008 Thanks for agreeing with me. I hate for you to have to prove me wrong. i read the first post, then i post. then i read the rest and edit or post again. you just ahppen to be right for a change Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justinwebb Posted October 1, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2008 tried taking it to advance they said they couldnt test it as the alternator is behind the motor on the bottom so oh well....and oddly enough on the way home it stopped so i dunno whats going on i figure its just starting to go bad so its a intermittent problem. Thanks so far guys for the help i appreciate it +rep for you all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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