i have a 98 F150 and i recently noticed that my instrument panel lights fllicker when i am at an idol. i thought maybe the alternator is going bad but i checked the head lights and everything and they arnt flickering. does anyone know what this could be and how to fix it? thanks

 

Head lites put a higher load on the system and may not show the flicker.
Flicker from the charge system under low loads is often the regulator going in and out of regulation. This raises and lower the voltage that low loads respond to more rapidly.
The other possability is a connection, ground etc independent of the charge system.
Monitor the voltage at low and high loads to get a lead on what might be a problem.
If the dash flickers and the system voltage does not move, then the dash feed has a problem.

 

ok so the lights still flicker regardless if im driving of idoling. the voltage gage does nothing so it look like it could be a bad connection. what should i do to figure out where and what?

 

Dimmer rheostats are a common reason for cluster light problems.......

Steve

 

what is a dimmer rheostat? is it a part i can buy and replace? where is it located on the truck? thanks for your help

 

The dimmer switch/unit.