On the commute this morning, I came up behind someone leisurely cruising in the passing lane. Waited an appropriate amount of time for them to get over, then flashed my high beams. When I did that, All the warning lights came on and the gauge needles jumped about. After that, the engine seemed to slow more abruptly than normal when I lifted off the accelerator.

When I got to work, I tried flashing my high beams again while parked. The dash didn't respond as before, but the engine did "hiccup".

 

I would check the battery voltage while off, then check the bulkhead connectirs under the dash for corrosion or loose, and the fuse box power connectors. Then the battery and engine ground straps. You have a voltage dip somewhere. Or else your coils are begginningto do Doug's incredible coil light show syndrom!

 

I've checked the voltage, but not the connectors or ground straps yet. Pulled the coils and plugs, and found #4 had oil leaking from the ring on the cam cover. Got a set of gaskets ordered, and grabbing the coils off of my spare engine just in case. Plugs only have 14,000 miles on them, so just going to clean them and reinstall.

 

Oops. Checked the spare engine, and it doesn't have any coil packs! Uh-oh...

 

I replaced the valve cover gaskets, put the old coils back in, and drove it home the other night. Drove beautifully, just as before. Was still running beautifully on the way to work the next morning when a car in front kicked up a rock and cracked my windshield.

Son of a!