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MG MGA - Pulsing head lights

Parking in the garage tonight I noticed that the headlights were both pulsing at a constant rate regardless of engine speed. I am running an alternator. What should I be looking for? All my electrics are otherwise working fine so I am inclined to rule out earth contacts.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Steve - Sound like the alternator may have a flakey regulator. Cheeers - Dave
David DuBois

Dave I have my suspicions in that area. When I switch the ignition off, the ignition light often stays on. I have to cycle the key a couple of times before the light goes off with an audible click.

Looks like an exchange. Still under guarantee fortunately.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Steve, do you still have the old regulater for the generator connected? If so it may be sticking and should be bypassed as you don't need it with the alternator. There is nothing in an alternator that would click, but one of the regulator contacts could.
John H

John

I only use its termainal posts for convenient wire connections. All the workings are by-passed.

Steve
Steve Gyles

I put a meter across the alternator. The output was pulsing by 0.5 volts. It was also making scraping and ticking noises. Just exchanged it.

Steve
Steve Gyles

New alternator fitted. Problem solved.

Steve
Steve Gyles

This thread was discussed between 13/04/2006 and 16/04/2006

MG MGA index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGA BBS is active now.