Dash light flicker
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 120
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Dash light flicker
'95 LT1 Auto 40000miles In the last month I have noticed a 'flicker' in the dash lights about 30 seconds after cold starting the car. The rpm doesn't appear to drop and it only happens once. The digital volt display starts at 15.1 and after the 'flicker', it drops to 14.9. After an hour of driving it shows 14.3. Never lower unless I turn all power equipment on and then it hangs at 14.1. All wiring appears to be tight, nothing loose(that I can find) and it runs like a raped ape. Is that 'flicker' an indication of things to come or am I just being my usual **** self? 'It's' my pride and joy and I want to take care of it. Any input-thanx
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
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From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Re: Dash light flicker (SJLJ)
When you first start your engine, the large (100+ amps) from the starter causes a transient discharge of the battery and the alternator charges near maximum current for a short period. I suspect that the single flicker you see is when the alternator is going out of its maximum current limit condition because the battery voltage is coming up and there is an alternator oscillation when changing from current limit to its normal output. If it only does it once there isn't anything to worry about.
