I was driving the other night and all of a sudden the headlights, dashlights and even the lighting on my radio went really bright! I loved it. Then awhile later they went back to what they have been. I have halogen bulbs for the headlights and put in newer bulbs in my dash set up. When they were on before I just assumed the more yellow like glow or less bright had to do with the old school aspect of the car. Now that this has happened it makes think it should be this way all the time. Suggestions as to what might be causing this issue? I'm think regulator because I did, just the other day prior to this, put in a new alternator. Thoughts and suggestions since electrical is not my thing. Thanks in advance everyone.
Your lights went really bright because your voltage output increased for some reason. You may want to get your alternator/voltage regulator checked.
Did that this evening and found there was an issue. Went to disconnect the regulator and one of the wires just fell out. Fixed that, retested and all was well. So then on the way home just before I get to the house I get this surge again. This time it was short lived as it only lasted a few moments. I might mention that even after the above the lights were still the old more dim lighting while when I had the surge everything got real white again. I think I will go ahead and change out the regulator since I have not done it yet. Suggestions anyone on other actions trouble shooting etc I should think about? Let me know. Thanks again.
Get a solid state regulator, not a mechanical one. There are several threads on the subject. I got mine at NAPA. You might also think about getting a new alternator wiring harness. A repop is available on ebay.
Holy crap! 70 clams for the harness! Wowzzy. Didn't think it would be that much. I checked the wires and all others are fine. It was just the one that for some reason was crimped and broken off. Too much cleaning under there I suppose! lol Well I wish I knew just how bright these dash and headlights should look as I sure liked it when the thing was glowing! lol As I said the thing did it again on the way home despite my repair and test after. I think the next step is still the regulator unless the new alt I put in is having issues. Never ending fun isn't it.
Once you get your voltage regulator/alternator charging system strong look into the headlight relay mods. You will be very happy with them. The cluster lights suck as a general rule. They can be modified to be brighter.
