Hello Everyone! I have a list of stuff I want/need to fix on my '01 SS and one of them is the flickering light problem I have.

When I first start my car for the day all of the lights flicker e.g dash lights, headlights, interior lights, etc. I have read several threads and some people say replacing the alternator fixed it. My assumption is the voltage regualtor is going bad. I am unemployed and can't currently afford the $165 for a new alternator and am nervous about buying a used one from a junkyard.

My questions are:

1.) Is it worth trying to clean any of the connections for the alternator or am I wasting my time here

2.) If I leave the alternator the way it is could it cause damage to my electrical system


I appreciate all responses and opinions!

Thanks!

 

Do you have a local business around you that rebuids Alternators? Check your yellow pages for one. Its alot cheaper to rebuild than replace. Have you taken it up to Advanced Auto or Pep Boys and got them to test and verify it is bad?
Also check your crank pully and see if its stock or underdriven. If its an underdrive pully you can buy an overdrive for your alternator to compensate for the speed reduction.

 

NC98Z,

Thanks for the response! Having the alternator rebuilt is a good idea that I didn't think of. I am pretty sure there are some local shops that I could call.

I haven't taken it to Auto Zone or Advanced yet and if I did I don't know what they would be able to tell. It still charges, it just has varying output as seen on the dash volatage gauge.

As far as I know it has the stock pulley on the alternator- it never did this until recently.

 

is the wiring stock?
I'd look at the connections at:
1. the alternator
2. the battery
3 the driver side fuseblock

I've seen corrosion at those points cause weird problems.

 

Yes, the wiring is stock and hasn't been hacked or anything.

I'm pretty sure the battery is clean, but I will double check it and look at the alternator and fuseblock connections.

 

Any local parts house will test the alt for free, as well as your battery. I would start there and have both the alt and battery tested. No sense in chasing problems that don't exist if one of them happens to be bad.