# Dashboard Lights are Flashing

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/dashboard-lights-are-flashing/20128>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** electrical-wiring\
**Created:** [September 29, 2008, 2:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/dashboard-lights-are-flashing/20128 "2008-09-29T14:19:09Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![wvutim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a183cd/32.png) [@wvutim](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wvutim)\
**Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 2:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/dashboard-lights-are-flashing/20128/1 "2008-09-29T14:19:09Z")

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Why are my dashboard lights flashing? Also when this is happening my speedometer and rpm gauge flicker. Is it a computer or electrical problem?

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**Author:** ![Cougar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cougar/32/21348_2.png) [@Cougar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cougar)\
**Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 3:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/dashboard-lights-are-flashing/20128/2 "2008-09-29T15:10:35Z")

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If you mean the lights are pulsing in intensity the trouble is most likely due to a problem in the alternator. There may be some bad diodes inside it. You can have the output checked out real easily at a shop. The battery condition should be checked also.

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**Author:** ![Whitey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/whitey/32/24680_2.png) [@Whitey](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Whitey)\
**Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 6:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/dashboard-lights-are-flashing/20128/3 "2008-09-29T18:50:56Z")

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Do you really expect an answer after offering such little information? What is the year, make, and model of the vehicle in question?

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**Author:** ![circuitsmith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/circuitsmith/32/40376_2.png) [@circuitsmith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/circuitsmith)\
**Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 7:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/dashboard-lights-are-flashing/20128/4 "2008-09-29T19:00:40Z")

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“Is it a computer or electrical problem?”

Yes.