98 Blazer: Lights Flicker

[BlazayBlazerious]

I bought a 98 Blazer a few weeks ago (my second one) and within the first few days I noticed the all of the interior lights as well as the headlights where flickering. It does it day or night. At night it is most noticable when I step on the brake. The moment the brake lights go on, all of the lights dim significantly for a second. The voltage meter is right where it needs to be. Also, I noticed the trip odometer resets itself every time I shut off the engine and restart it. Early on, the problem would go away for a day or two - no flickering and the trip odometer not resetting. Now it is constant. It also seems to effect starting - the starter cranks slower and sometimes I have to rev the engine during the first few seconds to keep it from stalling. After that the engine runs fine. When I lock the car the chirp of the horn is noticably quieter. As I said the problem used to go away for a day or two and the vehicle would start strong and the chirp of the horn was louder. Any ideas?

Thanks!

[BlazayBlazerious]

Blazer LT. Why have you forsaken me? I've been reading many of the other posts and you truly are the man!

[BlazerLT]

D'oh! Sorry about that.

I would have your grounds check for tightness and corrosion, clean you battery terminals and have your charging system testing while hot to see if your alternator is on the way out and the diode pack is starting to fail while warm.

Also, check for broken or worn wires under the dash and in the engine compartment.

Also, make sure your computer connections are dry and tight.

[BlazayBlazerious]

Thanks BLT! You are wise in the ways of the Blaze.....r. So winter is approaching and everyone is finding out whether their heat still works. My new (to me, at least) Blazer's heat is kinda luke...is the temperature gage supposed to be at the half way mark? Mine only gets to a little above a one quarter...thermostat?

By the way, I just have to say it is great to see that there are people that love their blazers as much as I do...actually even more! I bought my first one a little over a year ago. 98 4WD 4 door LT. Pewter w/gray leather. It was immaculate, dependable and I loved it. Last month I was T-boned by a Merc. Mountaineer and I rolled 1 1/4 times. I have to say the blazer protected my family really well, as we all walked away. I went right out and got the same thing...year, color, options, familiar interior rattles. I'll post Blazer carnage pics if I can figure it out.

Thanks!

[BlazerLT]

If it is only getting slightly above 1/4 when driving for 30minutes or so yes, your thermostat needs changing.

Do soon very soon before it carbons up your vehicle with a rich fuel mixture.

[BlazayBlazerious]

Yeah, its the thermostat alright...much better than heater core hell. Okay, uno mas then I'll stop buggin you. My new Blazer's ride seems less stable than the old one. I know they offered like 7 suspension packages, but I figured I might get some stability with new shocks. Any thoughts?

[BlazerLT]

Make sure your tires are at 32psi completely cold.

[BlazayBlazerious]

The tires are at 32 psi. It just seems to lean into the turns and I feel the ass end sink when I hit the gas. Also it seems a bit more bouncy.

I can't believe your hood hinge debacle!

[BlazerLT]

Maybe new shocks wouldn't be a bad idea.

I know you can get them dirt cheap off of ebay and they are pretty easy to install.

[fridayhell]

same problem on my 96 check alternator and grounds and added grounds... but found out it was the keyless entry box under the dash by the code reader.. i disconnected it no more flicker