So lately, whenever I idle, my interior lights dim, and when I start going again, they light back up. Besides being a conversation starter, it'* been getting on my nerves lately, and I mentioned it to a few at the Boosty tranny mini meet. I forget who said it, but someone mentioned a bad ground. So, I hate to sound misinformed, but where is the ground? I'm assuming it'* just a thin black wire that'* easy to move, so I just move it somewhere else? Also, just curious, but could a bad-ish alternator (bent fan, worn bearings) be to blame? Thanks a bunch, BC, you guys rock!

It could be a bad ground around the battery. (battery to chassis) or even engine to chassis. It could be the grounds for the interior lights itself.

I would suggest checking the ground buss that everyone talks about and the ground cable for the battery. While you are under the hood check and clean the positive cable(*) as well

right, where is this bus that you're referring to? also, where'* the interior light ground?

The ground bus (and how to clean it) is shown in this techinfo article:

http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...=article&k=102

Also try cleaning both battery post contacts, as well as the positive line off your alternator.

Another idea would be to take the alternator in to a local parts store that has a free alternator test

Hope this helps

Most autoparts stores (around here at least) can test the alternator for you with it still on the car. Although I would think if it was a bad alt you'd see a drop in your voltmeter, no?

No voltmeter on the SSEi cluster..... got "Boost" instead.

Yeah, I read that tech info article, but it didn't mention anything about my lights dimming, but it would explain my very hyper and over reaching oil pressure gauge.

Bump

Your lights dimming with a corresponding engine speed leads me to think that the alternator may be on it'* way out.

You say interior lights - the lights on the dash or the overhead lights? I can't see you using the overhead lights while driving

How much electrical stuff do you have on when the lights are dimming? Fans, high beams, fog lights, rear deforst (big drain device), ect...

IF it is your alternator, step up and get the 140 Amper

That ground is under the dr. side, under the floor mat, drivers seat. There is a picture of it floating around somewhere here :?