Anybody know Mopars?

[Morella]

When idling, the voltage in my Chrysler pulses, causing the headlights to blink a little. As I increase the RPM, the blinking gets slower, and voltage finally stabilizes. The fluctations are from 13.2 to 13.4 volts, according to the voltmeter, so it isn't an alternator failure. Should I try a new regulator? Can you short the regulator plug and give it full field voltage, the equipvalent of paper-clipping a GM? If nothing else, I could try putting a capacitor on it and probably smooth it out, but there isn't any reason why I should have to do that. I don't have any high-load equipment in it. Any ideas?

thx

denise

[Venom]

what year?
the newer mopars use pulse width modulated power to the headlights controlled by the computer

[Psychoholic]

'76 Chrysler Brougham with a 440 magnum in it

[Morella]

Maybe you and I should get a room, Chris. I think you know me better than my husband does.

One thing I like about you, though. You are just totally disarming.

-denise

[Hearse_Guy]

check the voltage regulator i just had that problem same thing as your having with my 72 ford pickup

[hotroddwayne]

Being a 1976 this may have the infamous Ceramic voltage regulator? I always kept a spare with me in the older Mopars as they tended to get flakey just like you describe.

[Morella]

It has a metal case, but from behind, it appears that all of the ciruitry has been injected with silicone, or some rubbery material. I think I have a spare regulator, so I'll give it a shot. It could also be a poor mounting ground, I guess. I should probably ground it to the engine, instead of the body. I'm just trying to get some suggestions before I go out there in the cold and work on it. I hate cold.

Thanks

-denise