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Surges seen with lights at night

Tiny
DMG0808
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 BUICK PARK AVENUE
  • 157,000 MILES
I notice while driving with the headlights, they will surge brighter and then go dim for no apparent reason. The dash lights also seem to slightly dim too. Tried changing out the starter with no change. Do you have any ideas. Battery seems fine, starts with no hesitation on first crank of key.
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Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012 AT 3:08 PM

9 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Have the charging system checked out-start here
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Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012 AT 3:21 PM
Tiny
DMG0808
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  • 22 POSTS
We took it to Auto Zone and the scanner showed nothing wrong with the starter or the battery. No codes came up on their scan-tool.
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Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012 AT 4:19 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
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Have the alternator checked
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Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012 AT 9:17 PM
Tiny
DMG0808
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  • 22 POSTS
I am sorry, I just noticed I said we changed the starter and had the starter checked. That is incorrect! They checked the alternator and it checked normal but we changed it (the alternator)anyways.
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Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012 AT 9:43 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
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Could be the computer controlled circuit of the alternator field generation is malfunctioning
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Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012 AT 10:38 PM
Tiny
DMG0808
  • MEMBER
  • 22 POSTS
Hi Again,
So in plain lay-man's terms- how do you trouble shoot this or know if it is the Computer-controlled circuit of the alternator field generation. And do you have a diagram, schematic of what you are referring to? I have no idea what all that means. Could you please explain this in further detail? Thank you.
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Wednesday, January 4th, 2012 AT 8:04 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
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See below-you might probably replace the computer if the wiring from the alternator to computer checked-out good
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Wednesday, January 4th, 2012 AT 8:24 PM
Tiny
DMG0808
  • MEMBER
  • 22 POSTS
Hi Rasmataz,

See below where? I don't see a diagram or where you are talking about? Could it be a bad ground or corroded wire somewhere? Thanks.
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Thursday, January 5th, 2012 AT 12:01 AM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
One more time on diagram
Image (Click to make bigger)
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Thursday, January 5th, 2012 AT 10:22 PM

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