Why are my headlights/interior lights flickering?

Great68 · Jul 22, 2004

I've been having a strange problem with my car. (Most of the other ones have now been resolved )

Cruising along my headlights and instrument cluster will flicker, sort of like a rapid fade in/fade out.

It is more prominent while cruising at 2500-3000 rpm. At idle it doesn't do it as much. Could my voltage regulator be going bad?

My alternator is only a couple years old and barely has 5000 miles on it.

Appreciate the help.

mfp4073 · Jul 22, 2004

First place to start would be the dimmer switch. Basically the part connect to the pull swtch to turn on the headlights. They are pretty cheap and easy to replace.

Swede958 · Jul 22, 2004

My guess would be headlight switch, feel underneath the dash on the switch itself when it starts doing it and see if it gets hot. If it gets too hot, it will start to flicker the lights on and off. That's what mine did in my '70. I replaced the switch with a '67 cougar one (more amperage).

The Swede

Great68 · Jul 22, 2004

Thanks guys, I will check that out tomorrow!

WORTH · Jul 22, 2004

Keep in mind your car wasn't designed to use halogen headlights, alot of guys have been wiring in a pair of relays to run the headlights to keep the headlight switch from overheating.

When Mine started doing that last year I just replaqced the headlight switch, and haven't had a problem yet, but if it does act up again I will go with the relays.

GIDYUP · Jul 22, 2004

I had a similar problem to this last year. It ended up being a case of a faulty dip switch (high beam) I replaced that and it went back to normal and havn't had a problem since.

streetgrande69 · Jul 22, 2004

i personaly think its the voltage regulator. i'd prolly say you have a machanlcal and it a paulsating that is different speed with rpm. if you replace it get a ford replacement solid state(smaller box type)

WORTH · Jul 22, 2004

streetgrande69 said:
i personaly think its the voltage regulator. i'd prolly say you have a machanlcal and it a paulsating that is different speed with rpm. if you replace it get a ford replacement solid state(smaller box type)

If you use the solid state regulator and you want it to look stock, just drill out the 2 rivets and use your old cover with the original screws.

my66coupe · Jul 22, 2004

Im pretty sure you have a short somewhere in the system. My connection from the tail light harness where it joined to the underdash harness shorted, and yes there was a ton of heat. When I put my headlights on, they would be normal at idle, but after drving around for a bit they would flicker and dim. Go under the dash towards the fuse box and feel around for any hot wires, fix or replace them. But ya I would check if your taillights have been acting screwy too. Good luck

Mike

SLEEPERstang21 · Jul 22, 2004

My dash lights don't even come on...everything else works. What can I check to see what the problem is???

Clapper · May 15, 2018

I went through everything and it turned out to be my positive battery cable.

RaggedGT · May 15, 2018

Clapper said:
I went through everything and it turned out to be my positive battery cable.

Welcome to Stangnet.
I’m sure as you look around,you will find many people offering help/needing help and doing some amazing rebuilds/restorations
/upgrades. Downside-some threads on this site are 14 years old-and you may find your self talking to ghosts lol.

Why are my headlights/interior lights flickering?

Great68

mfp4073

Swede958

Great68

WORTH

GIDYUP

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streetgrande69

WORTH

my66coupe

SLEEPERstang21

Clapper

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RaggedGT

Been here over a DECADE and still no CT

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Why are my headlights/interior lights flickering?

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Been here over a DECADE and still no CT

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