Quick rundown. Whe I turn my car on and the engine's cold, the interior and exterior lights pulse rapidly, like 5 times a second. The aftermarket air/fuel gauge I installed does not, even though it's spliced into the headlight wiring complex. BTW, it had the same prob before the A/F gauge install.

Anyhow, as the engine and the car warm up, the pulses diminish in intensity and totally go away once the thermostat is around 210. The colder the temp and the car, the more pronounced the pulsing from the lights.

So, what in the heck could this be It's the weirdest thing I've ever seen. There are no blown fuses and the service engine light does not come on. Anyone?

I'm going to take the car into the dealer soon, as it's under warranty. I'd be just as well letting my 4-year old work on it though Anything to "help the dealer" would help me and keep them from totally f'ing my car up

Thanks.

Schantin
2002 Camaro Z28 M6

 

Gee, I'd like to know what it is too, the only thing i would think of would be to look at your alternator and belt, make sure its not slipping. Doubt that would cause it but best thought i got.

 

Yeah, I was wondering if an alternator problem could cause this as well. I don't think it's belt slippage though. I guess I'll find out in another week or so.

Anyone else have any ideas?

Schantin
2002 Camaro Z28 M6

 

I have seen this, My car is doing the same thing. I checked the alternator with my voltmeter and everything is reading well, no fluctuating. The belt has been replaced, I have checked every ground I could find, pulled the wire, cleaned the bolts/sanded off the paint, remounted and still no luck. Please let me know when or if you find out what it is... I've been living with my car like this for about a year and its starting to give me a headache

 

I appreciate the feedback. This will be good info to give the dealer to help them troubleshoot this problem. I'll be sure to post the results (provided the dealer can find and fix the problem. I give them 40% on that )
I'm taking the car in the day after Christmas.... so I should know what's up by the end of the month

Schantin
2002 Camaro Z28 M6

 

I know it is not a camaro but my girlfriend has a 2000 cougar and it does the EXACT same thing you are alking about. I have checked the alt. and all the grounds but had no sucess. she has had 2 alt. put in and it seems to help 4 a while t always comes back. please tell us what u find out thank you

 

ok I know everything is checkint the ground which it might still be since it is not blowing fuses. how ever it could also be a hot wire touching ground of some sort this should blow the fuse but is not always the case. Just a thought.... Look for any bare how wires

 

it is the AIR pump cycling on and off which causes the headlights to stobe like that as the engine warms up the AIR pump will turn itself off which cures the stobe problem.there is nothing to worry about this is normal it happens when i start up my 1999 Z28 too

 

i thought only 2000 + had the air stuff?

 

98-02s had AIR system

 

That sounds good..... but the lights still flash after the air pump is off (2 minutes from starting). The "strobing" effect is greatly diminished, so I can believe that the problem might be related to the pump. There's got to be a relay or wire that's getting a bad signal...like possibly an uninsulated wire?

I appreciate the info and every little bit is helpful. I'm still not getting a "warm fuzzy" though....and my lights still stobe like a freakin Pink Floyd laser light display!!

Schantin
2002 Camaro Z28 M6

 

hmmmm maybe that could be a benifit

 

I know exactly what problem you are having. I had the same problem when I first bought my car. THe lights were flashing for about two weeks but there was nothing showing on the voltmeter until my battery died one day. So I replaced the battery and it was fine for about a week until it started happening again and this time the voltmeter was way down. So I decided to replace the alteernator but on the way to the shop my battery died and I had to get it towed. They replaced the alternator and It was fine for about a week until it just died again. I must've had about four or five alternators put it (no charge cause my girlfriends cousin is a mechanic thankfully) until we found the real problem. Turns out my Body Control Module was'nt going into sleep mode which was burning out my battery which was burning out my alternator. So your problem is definately the alternator, but if that doesn't fix it check further because it may just be some stupid problem like mine. Hope that helps.

 

Thanks for the info

Schantin
2002 Camaro Z28 M6

 

actually 96 up had/have air pumps for sure, not sure about 95 and lower.