Topic: Lights pulsing...HELP!
in Forum: C3 Electrical
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Lifetime MemberDeBerry, TX - USA
Joined: 2/27/2002
Posts: 1006
Vette(s): 1971 383 Stroker- mille miglia red...5 speed
Driving home from the hockey game last night,(yeah, we do have hockey down here
), my lights started pulsing, even the dash lights. At times it almost looked like I was flashing my brights. Any ideas what/where it could be or a good place to start? Could it be alternator related?
), my lights started pulsing, even the dash lights. At times it almost looked like I was flashing my brights. Any ideas what/where it could be or a good place to start? Could it be alternator related? I know the voices aren't real, but they have some pretty cool ideas... 
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Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
On-Off pulsing, or just dimming pulsing? If they're going completely On-Off, it's prolly the headlight switch. If they're just dimming up/down, prolly a ground issue, but may very well be the alternator.
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
My Link 
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Lifetime MemberDeBerry, TX - USA
Joined: 2/27/2002
Posts: 1006
Vette(s): 1971 383 Stroker- mille miglia red...5 speed
[QUOTE=Adams' Apple]On-Off pulsing, or just dimming pulsing? If they're going completely On-Off, it's prolly the headlight switch. If they're just dimming up/down, prolly a ground issue, but may very well be the alternator. [/QUOTE]
Actually, it's more of a bright pulse than a dimming pulse. The lights don't seem to be dimming at all, more like hitting my bright lights...almost. Everything is pulsing brighter.
I know the voices aren't real, but they have some pretty cool ideas...
Lifetime MemberDeBerry, TX - USA
Joined: 2/27/2002
Posts: 1006
Vette(s): 1971 383 Stroker- mille miglia red...5 speed
It must be my clean livin'! Just went out and looked under my hood and the first thing I touched was the two prong plug on top of the alternator and the brown wire (ground, I guess) was not even connected, just sticking in the hole. How lucky can you get! Time to go for a ride. 
Just went out and looked under my hood and the first thing I touched was the two prong plug on top of the alternator and the brown wire (ground, I guess) was not even connected, just sticking in the hole. How lucky can you get! Time to go for a ride. I know the voices aren't real, but they have some pretty cool ideas...
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
YAhoooo!! Always the silly stuff....
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Did it plug back in or how the heck did that come un hooked? I guess if it happens again you will know what it is!
Rich
Rich
My first parade at Carlisle 2010
Lifetime MemberDeBerry, TX - USA
Joined: 2/27/2002
Posts: 1006
Vette(s): 1971 383 Stroker- mille miglia red...5 speed
[QUOTE=yostusota]Did it plug back in or how the heck did that come un hooked? I guess if it happens again you will know what it is!
Rich[/QUOTE] The wire broke off at the plug terminal. I just had to get the terminal out of the plug and reconnect it. The thing is, I thought I had it fixed. I drove it tonight and the lights are pulsing again. If I push down on the wire I reconnected, the lights don't pulse. I didn't try to mess with it tonight. I'm wondering if the terminal is maybe loose in the alternator... Check it out tommorow..........
Rich[/QUOTE] The wire broke off at the plug terminal. I just had to get the terminal out of the plug and reconnect it. The thing is, I thought I had it fixed. I drove it tonight and the lights are pulsing again. If I push down on the wire I reconnected, the lights don't pulse. I didn't try to mess with it tonight. I'm wondering if the terminal is maybe loose in the alternator... Check it out tommorow..........
I know the voices aren't real, but they have some pretty cool ideas...
It would most likely be the red wire, that is the wire for the regulator to sense the load, the other wire is for the Gen light. if the connection is good it is possible that something is loose inside on the regulator . you could pull the Alt most shops test for free. The regulator can be changed, its not to hard. if you need it I can send you a pdf file on how to rebuild the Alt. PM me with your email
If you have an alternator with the casting number that is supposed to be on your car, rebuilt it. Do not trade it in for a rebuild. Numbers matching atlernators are hard to find.
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in Forum: C3 Electrical
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