2006-12-23 02:15:28 · 9 answers · asked by ju2346 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
i own a repair shop,ad this is sort of normal for one to do this at an idle,as long as the battery isn't going down on it,,the alternator doesn't charge as much at an idle than it does at driving speeds,but it shouldn't flicker like that it may need the battery cables cleaned off ,this might help it be more steady at an idle,,id try it any way but most of the time its nothing to worry about,,good luck,hope this help,s.,have a good x-mas,
2006-12-23 02:37:53 · answer #1 · answered by dodge man 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A slight flicker while at idle isn't unusual but could suggest either an alternator going bad OR a battery cable not tightened very well. If you're sitting at a traffic light, try this experiment, hold the brake with left foot and very very slightly give it very little gas. Not enough to make the car move, but enough to make the engine speed up just a little bit. If the flicking stops then I wouldn't worry about it at the moment.
I've had a car that had the flicking problem pretty bad, but only sitting at a light. The screw that screws the cable in the battery was stripped. It was in their tight enough to where the car started up ok, but was causing that. I eventually had to have the battery cable replaced because of that stripped screw (kept coming undone and car wouldn't start till I move it around). When I had the stripped screw/battery cable replaced it stopped. But again this was a severe case where the screw was stripped.
I have a car now that I know everything is very tight and its fairly new car. If I pay really close attention to the lights in the car (when its dark out and headlights are on), I can still see a very very slight flicker when sitting at a light. But once I get the RPM over 1000, it stops. Its when its idling about 800 rpm that it does it, but thats because the alternator is turning to slow to really put out any power. Normally when your alternator is turning too slow, it will pull a little bit of battery power to compensate for it. Once the RPM is past 1000, it won't need any battery power. Maybe your battery is weak/old too. If your battery had some "oomph" to it, it probably wouldn't be noticeable.
If you are seeing EXTREME flickering then it could be the alternator going bad. I'd double check that the battery cables are tight (ie you the connector with your hand).
2006-12-23 02:44:47 · answer #2 · answered by SharpGuy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A slight dimming at idle is normal. If they are steady above idle there's probably nothing to worry about. If they dim significantly, your battery may be near the end of its life.
The flickering is probably caused by some other load cutting in and out. Many vehicles run the AC compressor all the time, especially of you have Automatic Climate Control. The compressor cutting in and out can cause slight flickering of the headlights at idle. In cooler weather, the compressor will cut in and out pretty frequently.
2006-12-23 02:21:04 · answer #3 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
your car is idling and your running the heater and the ac is cycling this is normal as your alternator will have a hard time keeping up at an idle ....if it happens off idle have your battery and alternator cheched and dont forget to look at croded terminals
2006-12-23 02:34:10 · answer #4 · answered by mobile auto repair (mr fix it) 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
headlights will do that because on idle, the alternator does not spin as fast so it is making less electricity.
2006-12-23 02:21:26 · answer #5 · answered by george 2 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't listen to these other guys---it's completely normal. Its not a bad alternator!
2006-12-23 02:53:31 · answer #6 · answered by SLH 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, bad alternator.
2006-12-23 02:19:22 · answer #7 · answered by br549 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
replace alternator
2006-12-23 03:51:25 · answer #8 · answered by ke5hbd 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your altenator is on it's last legs.
2006-12-23 02:27:02 · answer #9 · answered by Dotr 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋