Headlights/Dashlights flicker :( How do I find bad ground??

[mans1ay3r]

When I accelerate (or start car and its warming up) the headlights and dashlights flicker in sync. When I turn on my defroster they stop, unless I'm accelerating over 40mph-ish.. and it stops temporarily when I turn on A/C. I tried researching and I think I've got it down to two possible causes. Battery corrosion or bad ground.

I took a look at my battery today and saw a bit of corrosion but havent had the chance to clean it but will be doing that first thing tomorrow morning. If that fails to fix the issue, I'll assume its bad ground. However, I'm just in my beginning stages of auto repair and I really have no idea how to find out where the bad ground is or how to find it. This just had to happen when I'm in the middle of huge projects and finals! Basically, I just want to know how I would go about finding the bad ground. I've done a lot of research trying to find out the cause of this problem.. I have a new alternator so I'm pretty sure it isnt that.

Hopefully, this issue wont require me taking my car to the shop. Poor college student haha. Thanks guys.

 

[mans1ay3r]

I also wanted to mention I found this on another forum and he seems to know what he's talking about, except I dont..

"Re: Headlights/Dash dimming sporadically

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Yes I Have Seen That Happen Many Times. It Is Easy To Fix. There Is A Loose Ground In Front Of The Center Counsole On The Firewall Inside Vehicle"


Ack. Thanks again.

 

[luv2rallye]

If it's not that ground he mentions keep in mind it could still be the alt. New (usually rebuilt) alts are notorious for having problems. The only way to truely test one is to take it to an alt/starter repair shop (auto stores only do a go/no go test).

Here's help on finding bad grounds: http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=179916