[punisher7]

OK so I had my Catalina on the road after dark for the first time and I noticed that the lights flicker constantly. The dash lights, head lights and tail lights all flicker. I also noticed the battery gage on the dash does not stay even. The gage seems to go up and down with the flicker. All the lights work like they should.
I am not really sure what to look at or how to test anything electrical. If I guessed I would guess that the voltage regulator is not working right or maybe the alternator isn't working as it should?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks!

[69geeto]

I would check to make sure your voltage regulator is well grounded to the firewall. It does sound like a VR problem though. Good ground, I would change it out. The new solid state regulators work great! Don't look exactly factory, but are much better then the old relay type regulators.
Stu

[goatman65]

Another vote for regulator

[A1Judge]

VR - Agreed.

Also check ground straps. On one of my Judges years ago while driving at night I would notice the headlights get brighter every time I pressed the clutch pedal. Pressing the pedal made better metal to metal contact - better ground engine to frame.. I replaced all the ground straps and issue went away.

[punisher7]

Sounds good! Thanks for the advice, I'll swap the VR out and check ground straps.
-Dan

[1966goat]

I handled this problem in my car last week. Look at the back of your voltmeter and see if the nuts holding the wires are loose - if they are, tighten them up. This fixed the flickering for me.

As for the voltage regulator, I suggest upgrading to the solid state one (there's a few threads on here about them)

[Goatracer1]

I also had this problem when I bought my GP. Someone had wired the electric choke into the regulator circuit. So check for wires take aren't supposed to be there if new regulator doesn't fix your problem.

[punisher7]

I plan on ordering a new VR later this week and I have started going through checking my grounding straps. I plan on getting under the dash and checking out behind the voltmeter tomorrow afternoon. Hopefully by mid week next week I will have this issue squared away. Thanks again everyone!

[bradkline]

I was dogged with this problem for years on my '66 Bonneville. Consider replacing the original ground straps with new ones. Despite shining them up with a wire brush etc. corrosion builds up under the crimp and you just don't get a good ground. Also make sure there's bare metal under the spot where they are bolted to the engine/firewall, a arm etc. I also replaced my battery cables which made my starter spin faster. I think what really solved my problem though was the fuseable link on the engine wiring harness. I routed a wire from the voltage regulator to the alternator bypassing the fuseable line and the problem was finally solved. I plan to add another fusable link in case of a short but I think you'll find your problem in one or more of these fixes.

Brad Kline