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Part of dash light bulbs pulsating/flickering

Discussion in '1st Gen Tundras (2000-2006)' started by SouthPaw, Jan 11, 2021.

  1. Jan 11, 2021 at 6:18 PM
    #1
    SouthPaw

    SouthPaw [OP] The headlight guy

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    So I recently had a good amount of work done to my truck and driving home tonight, there is portions of the dash light bulbs that are pulsating/flickering. They are screaming bad ground but I’m not even sure where to begin looking aside from the obvious. I removed the cluster to check connections which were good, all grounds by the battery clean and tight, nothing really obvious that I am seeing.

    It’s a 21 y/o truck and I’m sure taking things apart, rattling things with an impact, hammers, etc may have jarred something loose. Battery is brand new and alternator tested good.


    You will mostly notice it on the temp gauge, 30mph notch volt meter and fuel gauge.
    https://youtu.be/TkUXgHlCpXU

    It’s one of those things that it never had any issues until it was worked on lol. Kind like when you take your car in for a windshield and your brakes start squeaking lol. I played with the dimmer and it does not seem to affect it. Anyone have any points where to begin looking?
     
    Last edited: Jan 11, 2021
    artsr2002 likes this.
  2. Jan 11, 2021 at 6:34 PM
    #2
    chunk

    chunk New Member

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    110 miles north of Los Angeles, Ca.
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    Bone stock
    Are those LED replacements? They look very white. If so, maybe it's a source of the problem. Cheap diodes can be problematic. If so, replace them and see if that fixes the flickering. Good luck.
     
    SouthPaw[OP] likes this.
  3. Jan 11, 2021 at 6:45 PM
    #3
    SouthPaw

    SouthPaw [OP] The headlight guy

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    Yes they are. I replaced them a few months ago and have never had an issue till tonight. I did remove them and reinstall to make sure they weren’t loose but that didn’t change anything. I’ll defiantly put some new ones in to see if anything changes. Good suggestion.
     
  4. Jan 11, 2021 at 6:57 PM
    #4
    tunyota

    tunyota Wrenching w/ the beautiful wife.

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    Vehicle:
    Phantom Gray 2006 Regular Cab Long Bed 4WD V8 4.7L
    Front Hitch Receiver, Bilstein 5100s, Denso 130A alternator, LED interior and exterior lighting, Kicker 46CSS674 Car Audio 6 3/4" Component Full Range Stereo Speakers, Pioneer AVHX2700BS w/Pioneer NDBC8 Backup Camera, Transcend Drivepro 550 Dual Lens Dash Camera, and much more!
    @SouthPaw as another means of troubleshooting you can also temporarily reinstall the original incandescent bulb to verify if you can replicate the issue. As well as installing a LED bulb from another known working position as @chunk suggested. I came to realize my 2006 uses LEDs in the factory gauge cluster when I replaced all other interior incandescents with LEDs. Do keep us posted!
     
  5. Jan 11, 2021 at 7:47 PM
    #5
    assassin10000

    assassin10000 New Member

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    Northern CA
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    Remote start alarm Removed keyless entry piezo Qi phone charger & dash mount Subaru underseat subwoofer Hopkins Easylift Steering wheel audio controls No-tenna mod 3/4 adhesive anti-rattle shim D/S door
    Sometimes the leds 'prongs' slide to the side of the contacts when installing and eventually make intermittent contact. Could be a simple re-seat to fix as well.
     
    SouthPaw[OP] and tunyota like this.
  6. Jan 11, 2021 at 8:14 PM
    #6
    SouthPaw

    SouthPaw [OP] The headlight guy

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    I have extra bulbs so I wanted to try what @chunk suggested and swap the bulbs. I started the truck and everything worked before I even touched it. Took it on a 15 min test drive and all was good. I decided to head home figuring it ‘fixed itself.’ As I rounded the corner, it started pulsating again.

    I popped the cluster and switched the three bulbs that were the problems. Took it on the same 15 min test drive and they stayed solid, no flickering. I think and hope that fixed it. I always figured that LED bulbs, especially that size, either worked or didn’t so I learned something new. Appreciate the advice Chunk!
     
    chunk, tunyota and N84434 like this.
  7. Jan 11, 2021 at 9:20 PM
    #7
    artsr2002

    artsr2002 2005 Tundra DC SR5

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    That is clearly your future self telling you something just like Cooper was talking to Murph on Interstellar. Take notes.
     
    SouthPaw[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  8. Jan 13, 2021 at 5:42 PM
    #8
    SouthPaw

    SouthPaw [OP] The headlight guy

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    Had a set of headlights to do so I tested one of the bad bulbs with my 12v bench supply.

    https://youtu.be/jBrpBIyCreU

    And eventually it died.
    [​IMG]

    T
    he other two bulbs held steady for 10+ min.
     
    Filthyphil likes this.
  9. Jan 13, 2021 at 7:52 PM
    #9
    empty_lord

    empty_lord They see me rollin'

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    yea ive had bad luck with cheaper LEDs. sylvania or philips is all i buy now..
     
    SouthPaw[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  10. Jan 13, 2021 at 9:03 PM
    #10
    artsr2002

    artsr2002 2005 Tundra DC SR5

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    I've had Chinesium LEDs burn out. I just try out other Chinesium bulbs. Plenty to go around.
     
  11. Jan 13, 2021 at 9:04 PM
    #11
    SouthPaw

    SouthPaw [OP] The headlight guy

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    Pretty much the same. I have a box full of CHYNA led bulbs from over the years. The fun part is guessing what color they are...
     
    Last edited: Jan 13, 2021
  12. Jan 13, 2021 at 9:15 PM
    #12
    empty_lord

    empty_lord They see me rollin'

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    custom body work, Billies with taco ARB springs, Icon AAL, TRD FJ trail team wheels, 2019 Toyota 86 radio, Blacked out interior, Added factory power everything, heater mirrors, ETC
    On the tundra not a big deal. On my tacomas... yea no. Too much of the dash has to come apart
     

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