Weird electrical problems: HELP!!!

[Pa Goose]

About 2 weeks ago my left front low beam stopped working and later that day I noticed the turnsignals didn't blink. I got a new head light and since all lights came on when I turned on the signal seft or right, I also got a new turn signal flasher. This did not solve the problem.
Today I noticed all of the gauges were way below normal and volt meter indicated 13 volts almost 2 volts below normal. Now this is where it really gets weird! I turn on the parking lights and the voltmeter goes back to normal almost 15 volts and all of the gauges go back to their correct readings. If I turn off the lights after a short time the gauges start going back down again. :confused
What do you think?? Voltage regulator? Lost a ground? Should I take it to the shop?? Any ideas???
John

 

[cfour93]

I would be looking for a possible ground issue something like the grounding straps.

 

[WayneLBurnham]

Yeah, I just developed a weird occassional flicker

I need to find that today...

Start with all the basics...battery connections, alternator connections, fuse box connections and especially the starter connections. (I had one of those wires break off when planting this temporary engine.)

A loose bolt on a ground strap or a loosening or corroding connector fairly early in the system will affect a bunch of things...

I already found one part of my little problem - one of the fuses to one of my auxillary power lines was blown. (I have enough redundancy that power was still getting through, more or less.)

If all that fails to find it...don't forget weird things like the ignition switch, light switch and blower harness connections.

That 15V normal is enviable...mine has always run at 13.2-13.5 tops. (Of course it could be differences in calibration of voltmeters, differences in alternators and batteries.)

 

[Scott Winebarger]

I would be looking for a possible ground issue something like the grounding straps.

I totally agree, sounds like a ground issue to me .

 

[jdp6000]

Start with the basics. It the problem originated in the left high beam I would check the socket and wires to it. Two wires may be touching or the socket is bad.

Try unplugging the left headlight and see if the problem is solved. Then both headlights and so on....

Sounds like a bad connection somewhere.

Jim