Normal or not?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 825
Likes: 0
From: Hanging out back with the dark horses. Wa.
Normal or not?
88 auto, minor mods.
when I first start the car the dash cluster will dim and then normal. It stays lit but kind of flickers. if I shut it off and turn the key on it has no issues. I was thinking it was something in the charging system being the car sits most of the time the battery might be low. My 01 dodge cummins does the same thing in the winter time, the battery is charging.she is reading 13.5 Volts when running.
It's like the Alt is on then off. is this " Vett Normal"
~Jeff
when I first start the car the dash cluster will dim and then normal. It stays lit but kind of flickers. if I shut it off and turn the key on it has no issues. I was thinking it was something in the charging system being the car sits most of the time the battery might be low. My 01 dodge cummins does the same thing in the winter time, the battery is charging.she is reading 13.5 Volts when running.
It's like the Alt is on then off. is this " Vett Normal"
~Jeff
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
While idling and dash flickering, unplug the alternator and observe if the flickering stops. If so, the voltage regulator in the alternator is oscillating and you can either replace the regulator or replace the alternator. Confirmation can be done with an oscilloscope looking at the waveform across the battery. Ignition analyzers allow looking at the waveform across the battery. If the alternator is oscillating, all lights will show flickering.
Upon starting, the dash goes full bright and then drops according to what the photosensor in the dash sees.
Upon starting, the dash goes full bright and then drops according to what the photosensor in the dash sees.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Look at your alternator, there is a plug on the wiring harness that plugs into your alternator. With the engine idling AND your lights flickering, unplug the alternator and if the flickering stops, then replace the alternator!
It is normal in your corvette to have the dash go full brilliance when you start your engine and then it will dim down if the cockpit is dark.
It is normal in your corvette to have the dash go full brilliance when you start your engine and then it will dim down if the cockpit is dark.
