Headlights randomly cut out or flicker
 

Over the past couple nights my headlights have either cut out or will flicker on and off real quick a couple of times. Its completely random, and doesn't happen in conjunction with hitting a bump in the road, etc. Usually they would just flicker a couple times and go back to normal for a few minutes, but once I had my brights on and they cut out completely, so I hit the switch to go back to low beams and they came back on. So I'm thinking its probably an issue with that switch. Is there anything else I should start off checking?

Probably going to be the headlamp switch. They are notorius for that. I would remove the trim panel and inspect the connector for melting also. My truck did the same thing, I replaced the switch and my connector was ok, no problems since.

Ok, thanks. Went ahead and took out the headlight switch and the turn signal/wiper/high-low beam combo switch and cleaned them both out. Getting the headlight switch back in the dash is getting to be a real pain, had the same problem when I had it out to hook up my gauge lights. Is there any trick to getting the bundle of wires back up in there without having to shove the headlight switch in there and hold it while you tighten the screws down? Somethings binding up but I can't find a way to see what everything is catching on while I try to put the switch assembly back in. [dummy]

if your headlight wiring is still stock - it's most likely the switch.

if you have upgraded headlight harness with relays - it might be a bad post connection

Ive also noticed some flickering as the alternator kicks in and out. Been thinkin bout HID kit.

Well, cleaned out the switches the best I could and I didn't see them cut in and out again, but it wasn't completely dark yet so it is hard to say if they did cut on and off and I just didn't notice.

Still have my dash apart because I can't get the headlight/cab dimmer switch back in all the way... I think its binding up on the harness and it doesn't look like the top of the dash comes off easily to see what its catching on...

The wiring is probably in the way of the install. you either need to give the wiring a twist, or bend so the switch will go into the pocket all the way. You might keep the panel of for a few days to see what happens and maybe test the switch/circuits when the condition occurs. The switch does get warm under normal use, but mine was getting pretty hot when the lights would start to flicker and I was loosing power out of the switch.

When I put Sportheadlights in my '95 I put in two relays to take both hi and lo beam loads off the headlight switch. I also soldered all the splices and soldered the connectors on too.

Thanks for all the tips and suggestions... is it hard to take the top of the dashboard off? I was thinking I'd have a much easier time getting the switch back in if I could do that. Looks like its a lot more involved than just removing the trim pieces and removing those screws and the bolts near the windshield.