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

2001 CHEVROLET TRACKER
120 MILES
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AZCATMEOW
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  • 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
  • CAR REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
  • 41,814 POSTS
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
  • CAR REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
  • 41,814 POSTS
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