C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Lights flare up when driving

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 25, 2013 | 11:08 PM
  #1  
Freddy76's Avatar
Freddy76
Thread Starter
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 287
Likes: 16
From: Florida New York
Default Lights flare up when driving

What would cause dash and headlights to brighten then go dim when driving ? Maybe a bad ground ?
Reply
Old Oct 26, 2013 | 01:15 AM
  #2  
7T1vette's Avatar
7T1vette
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Default

One of two possibilities:

1. You have a major ground connection that has a "problem"...damaged/weak wire or connector;

2. The voltage regulator in your alternator is going bad.

There may be other possibilites, but that's what comes to mind.
Reply
Old Oct 26, 2013 | 07:28 AM
  #3  
GRipp 73's Avatar
GRipp 73
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 822
Likes: 82
From: Columbus OH
Default

Those are the two things that I thought of as well. Do you notice that the higher the RPM's the brighter the lights get? When at idle they are dim? Or is it more random?
Reply
Old Oct 26, 2013 | 09:37 AM
  #4  
Freddy76's Avatar
Freddy76
Thread Starter
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 287
Likes: 16
From: Florida New York
Default

Originally Posted by GRipp 73
Those are the two things that I thought of as well. Do you notice that the higher the RPM's the brighter the lights get? When at idle they are dim? Or is it more random?
It's more random. I'm going to check the ground between the block and the frame . I did notice the volt gauge fluctuating when it happens. It even happens at a red light. I only had the parking lights on. The dash lights and the parking lights were dim then normal then bright. Thanks for your response.
Reply
Old Oct 27, 2013 | 04:28 PM
  #5  
dochorsepower's Avatar
dochorsepower
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,412
Likes: 50
From: Laguna Niguel California
Default

Here's one more thing that I found and it took a while to locate. On the back of the alternator there is a clamp that holds the wire bundle for the alternator. Check the wire bundle under the clamp for chaffing through the insulation. I had exactly the behavior you describe.
Reply
Old Oct 27, 2013 | 05:29 PM
  #6  
Freddy76's Avatar
Freddy76
Thread Starter
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 287
Likes: 16
From: Florida New York
Default

I want to thank all you guys for your responses. I'm going to check out the idea's you guys have.
Reply
Old Oct 27, 2013 | 07:48 PM
  #7  
BKbroiler's Avatar
BKbroiler
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,086
Likes: 786
From: Lebanon Township New Jersey
Default

I had the same problem recently. I noticed my volt gage readings were fluctuating widely too. I replaced the alternator (with its internal voltage regulator) and everything is good now.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Lights flare up when driving





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:23 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE