Flickering lights, twitching gauge

Wiring, lights, heater controls, anything electrical..
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wags2272
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Flickering lights, twitching gauge

Post by wags2272 »

I have a 1970 Dodge D100 with a 318 and an automatic transmission. When I turn the lights on they flicker and the charging gauge twitches right around the center regardless of engine speed. It even twitches when the lights aren't on. This morning, the gauge actually moved half way to the charge side. I'd put a new voltage regulator on several years ago and it didn't change anything. I'm stumped as to what is causing it. I don't seem to lose battery charge (not run down, no jump starting) but I also don't drive it a lot at night and don't run any accessories.

Appreciate any help.

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dodgeboykim
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Re: Flickering lights, twitching gauge

Post by dodgeboykim »

Start by searching out any and all grounds possible and clean/retighten. :thinking
My truck is younger than me.
66 W100. 70 D 500 , 69 Hiab Speed Loader. 96 Ram 3500 Club Cab Cummin's 5 spd. 97 Ram 1500 Club Cab 5.9 gas auto. 83 W200 LB Propane 360 auto 09 Yammy Rhino 700.

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PwrWgnWalt
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Re: Flickering lights, twitching gauge

Post by PwrWgnWalt »

Ditto what Kim said. Especially the ground at the voltage regulator (& electronic ignition module, if equipped).

Check your bulkhead connectors to see if that might be it. Quick and easy to take a look.
Read topic 6 (and maybe topic 9) on my post here to see what you're looking for & track down possible issue:
viewtopic.php?f=21&t=34977&start=20

Also might try wiggling the key. If that has an effect, ignition switch might be worn out.

Let us know what the fix is!

Merry Christmas,
Walt
1971 W200: green, built 360/NP435 4-spd, daily driver, 4.10 gears
1971 D100: "Dude" Super Banana Yellow, 318/727
1970 D100: Adventurer Sport, Red, 318/727, AC, pb, extra fuel tanks, and aluminum tailgate trim - all factory original.
1970 D200: light blue, 383/NP435 4-speed, 4.10 gears
1970 D200: Crewcab, brown, 318/727, pb, short Utiline box, Dana 60 (rear), 4.10 ratio gears
1969 W200: Crewcab, yellow, 440/435 4-speed, pb, short Utiline box, HD Dana 44 (front), Dana 60 (rear) 4.88 gears
1969 D100: Adventurer, brown, 383/727, pb, extra fuel tanks
1969 D100: Adventurer, medium blue, LA-318/727
1966 W200: Green, A-318/NP435 4-speed, NP201 Trxfr Case, 4.10 gears Powr Lok rear
1965 D200: Crewcab, turquoise, A-318/727 dash shift, Sweptline box
1964 W200: Green, A-318/NP435 4-speed, NP201 Trxfr Case, 4.10 gears Powr Lok rear

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wally426ci
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Re: Flickering lights, twitching gauge

Post by wally426ci »

Check grounds like above. I just fought this on my 71 Challenger and it turned out to be a bad battery. Maybe try swapping that out? Could also be alternator. You can do some volt meter tests to help pin point.

RoukoSadra
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Re: Flickering lights, twitching gauge

Post by RoukoSadra »

could a stater in the alternator go bad causing this to happen? I'm dealing with this same problem.

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wally426ci
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Re: Flickering lights, twitching gauge

Post by wally426ci »

Could be alternator, my recent issue was the battery itself

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