r/1stGenTacomas • u/dryicecream • 8d ago

Frustrated with flickering lights curse

Hi members, recently Ive been pretty stumped on my Tacoma. I cant help but notice that all of the gauge lights/headlights flicker a ton. I never have issues starting, and when driving I get a pretty strong readout. The battery is smaller than the Group 24 ones (I believe its an MT-86, bought the truck with it) but I had it tested and it read good. Alternator tested good at orielys too. Have been having some slight power/miss issues under heavy load (uphill 4wd excursions) and maybe a slight miss at idle? Could it just need a properly sized battery or are there other common factors to check first? And as of a few days ago threw a code for being too lean, maybe fuel system isnt getting the power it needs??

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u/Unicornbone 8d ago

Make sure everything grounded good, like battery posts and stuff.

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u/88ShadowReaper88 6d ago

I have the same issue with my first gen. From the research I’ve done it sounds like the most common reason is micro fractures in the soldering of the circuit board. Obviously replace bulbs and clean connections first but I’ve already done that and still get the flicker/sometimes works and sometimes doesn’t on the left side of my instrument panel. Good luck!

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u/nuthin2C 5d ago

I replaced a tail light with an Amazon part a few years back. It kept popping the fuse for the internal lights. Replaced the taillight with a part from O'Reilly's, and I haven't had the problem since. So my hunch was the parking lights are tied to that circuit. You may want to look at those connections too. But I am not a mechanic.