Headlights flicker?

Tiny
JIMBOVIN920
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE
  • 5.1L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 102,000 MILES
Lights flicker while running engine. Dashlights, headlights, and I assume taillights. Doesn't always do it but most of the time it does. I wonder if it's the alternator. Just had a new battery installed.
Monday, December 9th, 2013 AT 6:07 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,916 POSTS
There are other things that can cause the lights to flicker, so the place to start is by going over this guide to check the changing voltage and if no good this guide will show you how to replace the unit.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-alternator

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-an-alternator

Also, if you have a digital dash, those are very susceptible to voltage fluctuations. The dash brightness can flicker and be very irritating even before you see that in the rest of the car's lights. To partially address that, the voltage regulator senses voltage right at the dash on those cars instead of internally. That adds a lot more wire and connector terminals that can corrode.

If you have a replacement alternator already, replacing it is the fastest test.
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Monday, December 9th, 2013 AT 6:28 PM

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