10 hours of wire hell

[timgco]

Well, i started at 10am today with my "Light Project."

4- 1500XT clear driving for front of GOBI rack
2- 1500XT clear driving for rear of GOBI rack

So, I started with making a harness (again) and running wires. At this point things are going.

Next, I poked a hole through the firewall to run the switches. I drilled the hole, went inside to check for sharp edges. Found none, but did find two relays, a shhiittmessssss of wires for the factory HUMMER lights, and I founds this due to the firework show under my dash from the dumb****e that ran the wires. Well, there was bare wire under there, unsightly connectors. I've never seen such a bad job. I'm shocked the truck didn't catch fire!

So, I followed that routed mess and took it all out! I had an extra PIAA harness I used for them. That seemed to work so far. I was concerned that the harness wasn't the proper guage wire, but after a 30 minute run with them on, nothing seemed to be oveheating or blowing fuses. So that whole "EXTRA PHASE" took and extra 3 fricken hours.

So now all the wires, switches, and lights all worked out wit one excpetion.

I took a seperate run just down the street and back. When pulling into the driveway, I pulled up close the garage door to aim them, and watched the lights dim a couple of times and than back to normal. I only had the roof lights on (4 total to one switch), no AC on, no radio on. I haven't had this happen with any of the other HUMMERS we've had. I had the same setup's in each one and never noticed the dimming before.

Opinions:

Normal?

Possible issue with battery/ alternator?

I went back and checked all connections to make sure they are all good!

What do you think?

[PARAGON]

ground

[working Hummer]

now you may think I'm stupid for asking this but do you think it was the air ride pump kicking on and off? I know that dims my headlights.

[timgco]

Originally posted by PARAGON:
ground

Yes, After an exhasting day, I am on the ground.

Ground?????

PIAA harness has the + and the - for the battery and those are very snug! The 1500XT's don't have the extra ground for the relay like the 520's do, so I'm not sure what else has to be grounded.

The switches are all to the 15amp fused power on the rear wiper circuit.

What do I check next?

[timgco]

Originally posted by working Hummer:
now you may think I'm stupid for asking this but do you think it was the air ride pump kicking on and off? I know that dims my headlights.

GOOD CALL! I just went out to check this.

The headlamps do dim just as the PIAA lights do when the air comp. kicks in. It's just more noticeable with the brighter lights is all.

So, my next question is:

Should my headlights be doing this? They don't flicker per say, but dim and than get brighter.

[DennisAJC]

I'm hiding in the bush with a dimmer switch remote messing with you Tim.

Since day one 3 years ago, whenever I pull into the garage I always notice the dimming issue. Same with my XTC light bars when I have them on.

[DRTYFN]

Pictures?

[timgco]

Originally posted by DRTYFN:
Pictures?

It's not done yet!

It still needs THREE things for the front end.

[timgco]

Originally posted by DennisAJC:
I'm hiding in the bush with a dimmer switch remote messing with you Tim.

Since day one 3 years ago, whenever I pull into the garage I always notice the dimming issue. Same with my XTC light bars when I have them on.

K.O. Thanks Denish!

[KenP]

Is this on an H2 or H3?

If it's for an H3, then you're in the wrong area. No one here know's squat about those little things.

BTW, Rear air and A/C come to mind.

I know if I hold a window UP button after the window is up, while the lights are on, the lights will dim. It's just a momentary drag on the alternator. No big deal.

[PARAGON]

My next guess would be battery. Probably would be worth it to upgrade the battery.

[timgco]

Originally posted by PARAGON:
My next guess would be battery. Probably would be worth it to upgrade the battery.

yellow top

I better order that power tank too! ....just to make sure it's not just being pissy because all the other H2's are getting them.