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Topic: All lights flickering/pulsating (Read 811 times) previous topic - next topic

All lights flickering/pulsating

My lights and instrument gauges have been flickering. Probably cannot address myself. Ideas that you may have and are there foretravel type mechanics close to Surprise, Az. Thanks in advance
Bob and Carol Cox
1987 gv 36 ft dp
Cat 3208t
2013 tundra crew cab lift

Re: All lights flickering/pulsating

Reply #1 –
Loose ground wire to grounding bar?
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake

Re: All lights flickering/pulsating

Reply #2 –
Where would the grounding bar be located
Bob and Carol Cox
1987 gv 36 ft dp
Cat 3208t
2013 tundra crew cab lift

Re: All lights flickering/pulsating

Reply #3 –
Quote from: bigfoot –
My lights and instrument gauges have been flickering. Probably cannot address myself. Ideas that you may have and are there foretravel type mechanics close to Surprise, Az. Thanks in advance

We have had pulsating headlights, dash lights, etc since we purchased our 86 GV...  i will watch this posting and see where this goes to locate the ground ...  the dash pulsating doesn't bother us much inside the coach driving at night but i wonder what the cars in front of us are thinking with our pulsing headlights... LOL.  Maybe thats why they change lanes...
1986 Grand Villa, 454 Chevrolet, 33 SBI tag axle
Build # 2658
2nd owner, original owner was Newman/Freeman Racing, racer Bill Freeman and actor/racer Paul Newman

Re: All lights flickering/pulsating

Reply #4 –
Quote from: bigfoot –
Where would the grounding bar be located...?
Don't know, exactly, on your (older) model coach.  Try raising the dash cover, in front of the driver seat.  Look in the area behind the instrument panel where all the wiring is located.  The grounding bar will be aluminum, probably 3 to 4 inches long, with 2 or 3 threaded studs attached to it.  The studs will have a bunch of green and perhaps black wires secured on them by nuts.  These are ground wires for the circuits under the dash.  The aluminum bar will also have a wire going from one of the studs to a chassis ground point.  This is the common ground for all the circuits.

If you find the grounding bar, check all the retaining nuts to be sure they are tight.

While you're under the hood, also check the ignition solenoid to be sure all the wires attached to it are tightly secured.  Be careful if you put a wrench on the large studs - one of them is "HOT" all the time and carrying some hefty amperage.

See thread linked below for a photo of a ignition solenoid (yours may look slightly different):

New Ignition Solenoid Update
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: All lights flickering/pulsating

Reply #5 –
Mine is all the way to the left, next to the dash hinge.  I have 2 studs with green, white and brown wires to it.

Re: All lights flickering/pulsating

Reply #6 –
Thanks. So I guess that if one of the post stays hot and can provide a nice shock then the batteries have to be locked out/disconnected
Bob and Carol Cox
1987 gv 36 ft dp
Cat 3208t
2013 tundra crew cab lift

Re: All lights flickering/pulsating

Reply #7 –
Quote from: bigfoot –
Thanks. So I guess that if one of the post stays hot and can provide a nice shock then the batteries have to be locked out/disconnected

Bob.. i think I understand the HOT post is referring to the solenoid.... the ground aluminum rod is NOT hot.. we just need to insure that all of the connections that are grounded to the rod are secure and tight... might be the answer to our non working driver and passenger fans...
1986 Grand Villa, 454 Chevrolet, 33 SBI tag axle
Build # 2658
2nd owner, original owner was Newman/Freeman Racing, racer Bill Freeman and actor/racer Paul Newman

Re: All lights flickering/pulsating

Reply #8 –
Alternator functioning correctly? Connections tight? Belt tight? Regulator functioning correctly?
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: All lights flickering/pulsating

Reply #9 –
Quote from: bigfoot –
So I guess that if one of the post stays hot and can provide a nice shock then the batteries have to be locked out/disconnected
No, not necessarily.  If you are simply checking to see if the nuts on the ignition solenoid are secure, pay attention to where you place the wrench and don't let it touch anything (else) that is metallic.  No problem!
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: All lights flickering/pulsating

Reply #10 –
He was asking about the ground stuffs  They are along the front end of the dash.  The starter solanoid is on the driver side wall about 6 in from the ground posts . Starter stuff has hot wires. Ground stuff does not. 
Studs  Stupid fone

Re: All lights flickering/pulsating

Reply #11 –
 Sorry. I was on my stupidFone and made an incomplete response . If the battery is connected and some circuits are on. Then by all means the ground wires will show power until they are well grounded.  They will arc a little as they are connected .
 Short story; If the entire bus or much of it, is flashing , look at the large cable connections. If only a few small amp items are flashing look for smaller wires. 

Re: All lights flickering/pulsating

Reply #12 –
My 1/2 wide tinned flat braided ground cable from the studed aluminum angle ground busbar terminates at the main chassis negative ground stud in the battery bay. Check that connection also as it's easy to get to. Chasing that one wasn't easy.
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake

Re: All lights flickering/pulsating

Reply #13 –
Where does the main chassis ground terminate on the frame?
1995 U320C SE 40'
Jeep 4x4 Commander - Limited - Hemi
"The Pack"  Yogi and Diesel our Airedales -  Charlie our Boxer/Akita mix. Gone but NEVER forgotten Jake our yellow Lab.
NRA Law Enforcement Firearms instructor - Handgun/shotgun
Regional Firearms instructor for national Armored Transp. Co.

Re: All lights flickering/pulsating

Reply #14 –
On the ORED  there is a main chassis ground stud on the oshkosh frame in the battery box for all of the negative cables to connect.
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake

Re: All lights flickering/pulsating

Reply #15 –
My front ground strap is  right under the driver side headlight, on the frame , and runs up to the back of the dash.  Maybe 3 ft or more of open braided strap .