Flickering headlights

[87ladaniva]

Alternator regulator

[GadgetBoy]

It's either a rectifier/regulator problem, you've a bad phase in the alternator or your battery is starting to go.

[Zelandeth]

This happened on my Skoda Estelle shortly before the alternator regulator packed in (no real problem as it was an external reg, and I had a spare one in the toolbox!). First thing that tipped me off on that occasion was that the battery light used to *very* dimly glow - only noticed because the dash illumination bulb on that side went! - odd thing was that the symptom was more apparent when there was LESS load on the system. Was a week or so after I spotted the warning light flickering dimly that I started to notice "ripple" on the supply to other vehicle systems.

Worth checking that none of the connections on the alternator are loose/corroded though - and do try another battery in case there's something going on with it.

[baxter]

What causes headlights to flicker.

Electricity!

Ahh, I crack myself up.


Are you working this weekend? I'd be keen to swap motor/box/TC if you've got time?

Wake me up in the morning if you're free.

[87ladaniva]

The more voltage that goes into a headlight the brighter it should get i woulda thought

[Giovanni]

Hi Team,

Looks like I will be visiting this Forum more often.

Headlamps energised with to higher voltage will prematurly fail.
Depending on what type of globe is fitted i.e. glass or quartz etc,,, they will either burn the filament out very fast i.e. small spherical deposits rolling around inside the globe being the remains of the melted filament,they slowly loose their intensity,the inside will change color,the glass envelope will blow up like a balloon and or shatter and explode.

Always start with the basics.
Inspect fanbelt,replace,tighten adjust where required.
Check your battery terminals ,earth straps and links etc.
Clean tighten where neccessary.
Top up the battery electrolyte if it is required.
With all lights etc turned off and the engine running and held at 1500rpm for approx. 30 seconds read off battery voltage.
It should be in the region of 13.8 to 14.2 volts.
Now turn on the headlamps and repeat above,you should have around the same or a slighly lower reading but not lower than 13.5 volts.
If the voltage fluctuates you have either a voltage regulator and or a alternator problem.
Inspect the headlamp wiring and earthing connections for high resistance burning or charring in and around wiring terminals, around the switch gear,headlamps.This will show up as heat generated from problem areas when the lamps have been turned on for half an hour or so.
Run your hand over the wiring loom and connections to detect any heat.
Is heat is detected bypass the area with a link wire.
Some vehicles are so bad with high resistance one is better off installing aftermarket headlamp relays even if the vehicle has factory fitted relays.

[Hoodoo]

Be good to see you here more often! Especially as I could do with all the help I can get when it comes to electrics!!!!
Regards,

[Giovanni]

Hi wattage lamps are not street legal in some area.
Secondly they place an enormous strain on the vehicle switch gear and wiring unless electrical modification are employed.
Even with aftermarket relays etc there can be a concern with the headlamp globe connections and plug/s.These tend to breakdown/meltdown and become brittle or worse fall off.
Compared to high wattage globes the new range of standard wattage Xenon type globes produce a whiter light than normal and consume less power,hence are more user friendly to your vehicle wiring and switch gear.

Installing a higher current alternator electrically is not an issue but ensure the wiring and thefuseable link on the battery to alternator line,if it has one, is rated sufficently for the new alternator.