Odd Electrical Issues..06' 6.0L

[Bare55]

I have 06' 6.0L I have been enabling now for 113,000. Recently had hard starts, cold and warm and replaced starter and fixed.

Current issue is with electrical. Two Main issues. 1st, my truck electrical system pulses while driving and idling. My headlights and dash lights pulse from bright to less than during both and my Heater also pulses to similar rhythm.

Second issue, reverse sensors no longer engage when in reverse. Once shift into R the dash button switches to Off. On top of this, the dome lights go on and dash says that the driver door is a jar (which it never is).

Voltage Meter says the system is fluttering between 12.6-12.8 V. I assume this could be an failing alternator, but I put a new one in less than 6 months ago.
Wondering if anyone has encountered these issues before and if so, what they did to fix. I am sick of throwing away $$ on this POS, so I have been doing all work on my own, which is super fun...

[99 Stroker]

I am experiencing the same "dimming" effect with my lights, but mine is only noticeable sometimes with my gauges, and if you turn an interior light on it dims and then gets brighter as well. I have also replaced an alternator, but around 11 months ago.

[HAM_RADIO_MAN]

Some of this light flickering everyone talks about is the normal action of the voltage regulater inside the alternator. Your system voltage is low or you have a very high system load. I would check to see if your glow plugs are drawing current all the time. Also look for lose grounds and have both batteries load tested. you may have one battey that is bad and trying to charge all the time.

[dazdillenger]

Replace the alternator to eliminate the flickering, the voltages specified are too low. After that, pull the driver's door apart and clean the switch inside the latch that tells the truck the door is closed. Next, you need to check your reverse sensors. When one fails, the system will become disabled. They are cheap enough, and usually fail around the same time. It's a good idea to just replace them all. All of your issues are basic maintenance, and are DIY repairs.

[Bare55]

Originally Posted by dazdillenger

Replace the alternator to eliminate the flickering, the voltages specified are too low. After that, pull the driver's door apart and clean the switch inside the latch that tells the truck the door is closed. Next, you need to check your reverse sensors. When one fails, the system will become disabled. They are cheap enough, and usually fail around the same time. It's a good idea to just replace them all. All of your issues are basic maintenance, and are DIY repairs.

Thanks for the help. I assumed it was an alternator again. I assume is was the starter cranking hard for the last 2 months, before it was replaced, that burnt the thing out again.
The door switch issue only happens in R. Is this still fixed by cleaning/replacing switch? I assumed the R sensors might be tied to the dome light/door ajar issue, but I will try to replace the sensors first and go from there. Any tips on testing if glow plugs are constantly on and draining system? I hear them buzz before start but the stop when cycle is complete.

[roche837]

i replaced both of my batteries recently and the alt last year and my truck is doing this as well, I'm going to run some grounds from the batteries to see if it helps clear up my issue of surging headlights. Yours sounds like the alt is about to dump.

[justa03]

The buzz your hearing is the injectors and is normal operation. Like everyone else said you need an alternator. I put one on under a year ago on mine with new batteries and needed one again a month ago. Also like daz said more the likely it is one of your reverse sensors that is bad. As for the dome light coming on in reverse possibly a shorteed wire but cant say ive run into that before. I would spray the latch with some PB Blaster or something similar let is set for a few mins, spray it out good with some brake cleaner and then some more penertrating oil and close the door mulitple times and see if that fixes it. I dont pull the door apart to do this but it is better if you do.