Flickering Panel Lights???
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh North Carolina
My panel lights are flickering when the engine is running. Is there anything else to check besides the voltage regulator?
The voltage on the digital guage is pretty steady, but it does vary from 13.7 to 14.7. It takes a while for the indication to change on the digital volt meter. The analogue guage doesn't waver around either. The light on the rear view also flickers when I have it turned on.
thanks,
jimi lane
The voltage on the digital guage is pretty steady, but it does vary from 13.7 to 14.7. It takes a while for the indication to change on the digital volt meter. The analogue guage doesn't waver around either. The light on the rear view also flickers when I have it turned on.
thanks,
jimi lane
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
The two voltmeters indicate the average voltage which can be dead steady while there is ripple from the alternator caused by a defective voltage regulator. When the engine is running and the lights flicker, unplug the connector on the alternator which will turn it off. If the flickering stops, you have a defective alternator. It is possible to replace only the voltage regulator in the alternator. Good Luck.
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Dunnellon, FL, US
If you have the digital instrument cluster the most likely cause is an overheated solder connection on the instrument cluster lamp circuit. The ground circuit board connector wasn't designed large enough and over time the solder connection fails on this pin. Do not tap the display to get the lights to illuminate. This will dammage the liquid crystal displays. They will leak and eventually you will have a turned on display. It usually starts at the center and works out to the edges as it goes bad. The best thing for you to do is get the cluster repaired. I waited and eventually had to replace the whole instrument cluster. I got a replacement through a local parts dealer in Lakeland FL.
Ken
Ken
