Electrical issue with the indicators

[HemiCudaAus]

Hi everyone, greeting from Australia.

Just quick question, when I drive my 1970 cuda at night with the headlight ( or even the running lights on ) when I indicate left or right or even hit the brakes, the dash lights dim.

So in saying this when I hit the brakes and the dash lights dim.

When I hit the indicators either left or right the dash lights blink on and off ( but not fully off ).

Grounding issue???

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

 

[pschlosser]

Some dimming at idle is kind of normal, because the alternator is outputting less current at idle. These alternators have several (maybe 6?) diodes in them, and over time, they begin to fail one at a time, and the alternator can output less, and less current until that last one goes, then it's totally kaput.

There are indeed grounding issue that can arise regarding the front instrument illumination, but if you were having that issue, the dimming or poor output would be more or less constant.

I, too, have seen illumination vary at a stop light, at night with headlights on (those suckers draw a lot of current), where the engine is idling, so alternator output is low. The instrument illumination (light bar) may pulse as the turn signal indicators go on and off. and if I put it in neutral, and rev the engine up a little, I see the dash illumination get brighter.

to improve, look at the alternator and/or voltage regulator. switching to lower current draw head lamps, such as newer LED types, can help, too. the more juice in the system, and the less being used up, when at idle, mind you, the better.

 

[HemiCudaAus]

Some dimming at idle is kind of normal, because the alternator is outputting less current at idle. These alternators have several (maybe 6?) diodes in them, and over time, they begin to fail one at a time, and the alternator can output less, and less current until that last one goes, then it's totally kaput.

There are indeed grounding issue that can arise regarding the front instrument illumination, but if you were having that issue, the dimming or poor output would be more or less constant.

I, too, have seen illumination vary at a stop light, at night with headlights on (those suckers draw a lot of current), where the engine is idling, so alternator output is low. The instrument illumination (light bar) may pulse as the turn signal indicators go on and off. and if I put it in neutral, and rev the engine up a little, I see the dash illumination get brighter.

to improve, look at the alternator and/or voltage regulator. switching to lower current draw head lamps, such as newer LED types, can help, too. the more juice in the system, and the less being used up, when at idle, mind you, the better.

Thank you!!

I actually did not think of that.

I will take the car put tonight for a cruise ( summer here in Aus ) and will give it a rev up and turn on indicators and see what happens.

If it is the case, i will be heading straight to an Automotive shop and purchasing low draw LED Globes and see what happens from there.

I will keep you posted.