All lights are flickering!

[Misterio]

hey guys well starting yesterday all lights in my car, most noticable my headlights are flickering pretty bad when the car is on. the car idles a little bit low as well. one time that i tried to start it, it almost did not start. what could this be? my friend thinks my alternator is about to go out. please help me out, thanks!

 

[blazebolt]

I agree with your friend. I'd check the alternator first. You could take it to autozone and they can test it for you. Check the alternator belt too if they are slipping.

 

[Misterio]

will it harm my alternator if i drive it around?

 

[dsm023]

All the electronics in the car is what your worry about...

 

[MrBoxx]

I experienced the same flickering a few years ago. It turned out to be a bad alternator, so I had Sears Auto replace it. Then, almost exactly a year later, the lights started flickering again as I was driving down the road. It would only happen periodically, but I had Sears replace my alternator under warranty, even though their tester said the alternator was fine. I still had two mechanics (one was my uncle) and an Autozone worker say that the alternator was definitely bad, so Sears grudgingly did it. Then my flickering problem was solved.

To be sure, you can take your car to any Autozone and they will test your alternator for free.

 

[N1balla16]

Ya im willing to bet its your alternator too. Take it up to any local shop and get it tested.

 

[ddavisaf]

Test the battery also. You'll have the same symptoms with a bad battery as with a bad alternator.

 

[DiamondStarM]

Like stated above, the alternator and battery are the first things to check and AutoZone will test both for free. Also check that your terminals are in good shape and all connections are clean and tight.