Voltage regulator, and pulsing lights

[DOC]

I had this problem with my Mustang. Turns out the newer headlights I installed were drawing too many amps. And it was causing the breaker in the headlights to switch on and off. I installed a relay switch and powered it straight from the battery and the former switch turns on said relay instead. Problem solved. I hope this helps.

[gnihcraes]

One of my old trucks does this. Converted from an external regulator to an internal (Delco 10si) type alternator. Mine had the tick before and after. The headlights were not effected but the dashlights would dim a little and the volt meter would "tick".

Is the power to the headlights running from the battery, through the dash, to the switch and then to the headlights? Installing a "bright light kit" for the headlights might fix their pulsing. This bypasses a lot of wiring and the lights can be powered directly from the battery.

Never figured out the cause and called it the truck's heartbeat.

Conversion, if possible is the best. Had a similar setup on my old jeepster, replaced with 10si, no problems anymore.

[BPTactical]

When this used to happen on older trucks (70-83) vintage it was typically indicative of an alternator on the way out.
Electronic or mechanical regulator?

[brianakell]

When this used to happen on older trucks (70-83) vintage it was typically indicative of an alternator on the way out.
Electronic or mechanical regulator?

Mechanical.
Starting to look for an electronic one, see if that would make things smooth. Never had an alternator fail in this way, but Ive never run an externally regulated one either.

[BPTactical]

Mechanical.
Starting to look for an electronic one, see if that would make things smooth. Never had an alternator fail in this way, but Ive never run an externally regulated one either.

The mechanical ones were notorious for voltage fluctuations.

[hghclsswhitetrsh]

The mechanical ones were notorious for voltage fluctuations.

Isn't that why a "dummy light" is a good idea? I added one to my Suzuki samurai when I converted to a gm alt.

[2XS]

How about you tell us what kinda of vehicle this is ? Give us a little better idea if this a common issue for the given vehicle or the alternator or reg.

[Ah Pook]

How about you tell us what kinda of vehicle this is ? Give us a little better idea if this a common issue for the given vehicle or the alternator or reg.

What fun is that? Let's just keep guessing...

[brianakell]

What fun is that? Let's just keep guessing...

Ok, but its not going to help...

f350 superduty with a 24v cummins swapped in. Cummins in a dodge is externally regulated by the PCM, which is not used in swaps, since it can't be, hence the external regulator.

[zteknik]

Ok, but its not going to help...

f350 superduty with a 24v cummins swapped in. Cummins in a dodge is externally regulated by the PCM, which is not used in swaps, since it can't be, hence the external regulator.

Well there it is-every body knows that Dodge and Ford don't get along..It's like cats and dogs,always fighting!!