is this a grounding issue?

Alan Slingsby · Aug 11, 2013

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First of all (hope the video i posted works)I'm not a person that knows jack about wireing..truck has done this since I bought it and is getting annoying. In the video I had a ground wire led from a valve cover bolt to another bolt on the rad support as temp to see if it was lack of grounding. That obviously didn't work lol.i do have acess to electrical testing equip,any suggestions would be awesome thanks!

Alan Slingsby · Aug 11, 2013

If the video doesn't work,the lights are going from dim to brite constantly and hate it at night

85_IDI_4x4 · Aug 11, 2013

I would check the amp output from your alternator. Do you have any extra electrical items like e fans? My dads car does that every time the fan kicks on while driving. Drives me nuts also

Alan Slingsby · Aug 11, 2013

No e fans,just a few lights inside the cab but they are on switches,you can also see fluctuations in the amps. Almost hear the motor changing RPM slightly

yARIC008 · Aug 11, 2013

That would not be a grounding issue. I think something is up with your alternator or voltage regulator is going out maybe. If you disconnect the alternator while is doing this what happens? Do the batteries hold everything steady?

The glowplugs aren't clicking on and off are they?

Alan Slingsby · Aug 11, 2013

The glow plug system works fine,if the voltage reg is on pass side fender,it looks new and from Napa,will try to get out there and unhook alternator to see what happen

Would the Napa regulator be a lot crapier then an motorcraft ?!?!?

franklin2 · Aug 11, 2013

It can be a grounding issue. The problem ground can be the one to the voltage regulator. Check and clean the ground under the bolt on the voltage regulator and make sure it's good on the other end. Also unplug the plug in the alternator and make sure it looks good and the wires are not loose.

79jasper · Aug 11, 2013

My 88 did that with the headlights.
I thought I had asked around, and general consensus was that it was normal. :dunno

Alan Slingsby · Aug 11, 2013

Well I ran out of time,and back to work n the morning going to be busy as heck next couple of weeks hope I can get a chance to look at it more. Thanks for the ideas any more Are always welcome!!

franklin2 · Aug 11, 2013

79jasper said:
My 88 did that with the headlights.
I thought I had asked around, and general consensus was that it was normal.

It's only normal right after you start the truck. The glowplug controller will be cycling the glowplugs after it starts, and this puts so much drain on the system, that the voltage to the headlights will rise and fall each time the controller turns the plugs on. After it runs for a little bit, it should quit, since the glowplug controller will finally quit cycling the plugs

The lights getting dim and bright all the time, after it has warmed up is not normal.

79jasper · Aug 12, 2013

Oh. Lol Yeah it did it warm. I would get home then notice it in the driveway.

Could a low idle speed have anything to do with it?

Fordsandguns · Aug 12, 2013

Regulator. Had a used one do that. Put a new one on and it solved it. Like $15 at O'reilly auto.

ifrythings · Aug 12, 2013

Regulator or brushes in the alternater are wore down too far. (check for loose wireing and bolts on the alternater also)

Alan Slingsby · Aug 16, 2013

Got a little time the other nite and put a tester on charger system its jumping from a little over 14amps to a little over 15 amps..and tonite I unplugged alternator and it didn't "surge" anymore,though the plug seamed lose. Should I go and put a new plug on it before an alternator?

Clayton · Aug 17, 2013

It's the plug at the voltage regulator... Pull the plug clean all the terminals at the plug and regulator..

is this a grounding issue?

Alan Slingsby

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Alan Slingsby

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85_IDI_4x4

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Alan Slingsby

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yARIC008

Drives really slow

Alan Slingsby

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franklin2

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79jasper

Chickenhawk

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Fords Rule

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