2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Flickering head lights ?

[JBeasley]

The headlights on my 97 started flickering about 2 mo. ago and I can't figure out what's causing it. What's even more of a head scratcher is it will only do it when I'm towing my 12,000lb trailer on a hard pull, like up a steep grade or passing a car. The rest of my lights like the dash lights don't flicker, only the headlights. It's just like when your heater grids are cycling before it reaches opperating temp. That's how much they dim only faster. My amp guage doesn't move or flicker when it's doing it. As soon as I step on the throttle to start up a hill or pass a car they start flickering and it will stop as soon as I let up on the pedal. This has really got me stumped, any help would be great.

 

[RKraiza]

mine did the same thing. look at the realies for the grid heater, you will probably find one of the little acuater wires on the sylinoids loose or coroded . whats happenibg is it is making the grid heater come on and off when you hit a bump or have any vibration that will ratle the wire one the cylinoid. hope this helps,

 

[RKraiza]

oh ya, that in turn will dim or flicker your headlights and you'll pull your hair out looking elsewere. quick way to check, pull off the little wires on the two cilinoids and go for a drive at night. doesn't flicker, theres your problem. and yes, there is 2 cylinoids that work oppposite off each othere. could be ethere one

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

I would take a close look at your Headlight switch. They are known to be frail. If left unchecked it will go into meltdown. It stems from the heatsync being unable to shed the unused power of dimmed dash lighting. There are several threads on this.



https://www.turbodieselregister.com...-discussions/60028-flickering-headlights.html



https://www.turbodieselregister.com...on-discussions/47933-flashing-headlights.html



https://www.turbodieselregister.com...ssions/47906-dimmer-switch-gets-real-hot.html