Why does my cars headlights flicker when going down the road?

2001 CHEVROLET TRACKER
120 MILES
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AZCATMEOW
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
"pulsate" would be a better term than flicker. intermittent problem, have changed out the battery and the battery terminal ends; problem still persists. a short somewhere, i'm assuming, but how can i track this down? This has to be annoying as heck to oncoming drivers, as i can see the lights going from dim to bright ( not high beams) on the dash panel as well as the path in front of the car. it flickers at about the same rate as a heartbeat.
Oct 3, 2012 at 6:01 PM
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KHLOW2008
  • ✓ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 41,814 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
It could be a bad ground circuit or a failing alternator that is causing it. Try cleaning and retightening all ground circuits in engine compartment.
Oct 3, 2012 at 6:07 PM
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KHLOW2008
  • ✓ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 41,814 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
Check the ground circuit behind left side of dash as well and try swapping out the headlight relay to see if problem is resolved.
Oct 3, 2012 at 6:16 PM
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