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Blinking interior lights AND headlights

8 messages,  Last post on Oct 23, 2009 at 5:06 PM

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#1 of 8 Blinking interior lights AND headlights by aaronlane Apr 06, 2008 (5:09 pm)
We have a 2002 Tracker and the same thing is happening now. The interior and exterior (including headlights) are dimming and going back to normal for a while (30 seconds or so) then it goes back to normal for a while... then it starts blinking again for a while, etc.    The check engine light is also on. Having had the code checked at my local shop, they said it was the front O2 sensor, but they have no idea how that could cause any blinking...   I removed the ground wire up against the chassis and brushed it well, tested the battery to no avail.    Any help would be greatly appreciated.
#2 of 8 flickering head lights an dash lights by marlboro3333 Sep 26, 2008 (8:27 am)
2000 chevy tracker,my head an dash lights flicker while driving,at idle everything is fine.i had the battery an alternator checked both are ok.what could be causing this?
#3 of 8 by trackerenvy Nov 03, 2008 (1:12 pm)
I was just wondering if anyone ever helped you guys with this because I also have been having this problem. Had the Alternator and Battery tested both checked ok. Replies to this message: trackerenvy (Nov 04, 2008 6:44 am)
#4 of 8 Re: [trackerenvy] by trackerenvy Nov 04, 2008 (6:44 am)
Replying to: trackerenvy (Nov 03, 2008 1:12 pm) I got this from an electric forum pro:    It sounds to me like the voltage regulator in your alternator is spikeing. A normal alternator test may not show this. The easiest way to find out is to connect a cheap "analog" voltage gauge to the output terminal of the alternator and extend it into the vehicle so you can watch it while driving. The wire from the alternator to the plus side of gauge. The negative side to ground. You can't use a digital gauge or meter because they won't show a "pulse" Where an analog gauge with the needle will. If the lights spike with the gauge needle, it's the regulator for your alternator.
#5 of 8 Blinking, flicker interior dashboard lights and headlights by bill_colwell Jul 21, 2009 (7:20 pm)
My 2001 Tracker had the same issue. I passed along the recommendation to my mechanic to use an analog voltage meter and look for a "pulse" when the blinking begins. My mechanic was able to catch the steady light go into blinking mode and see the meter's needle start to pulse. It was the regulator that was bad and warranted a alternator/regulator replacement. This so far has resolved the problem in my Tracker.    This problem is a tough one to resolve. Initially the alternator tested fine (as others had reported in this forum and other Tracker forums). The bad alternator/regulator caused other problems to materialized that the auto's computer was trying to compensate for. Once the new alternator/regulator was installed the blinking/flicker lights stopped and other problems disappeared. My other recommendation is to buy a new alternator rather than a rebuilt. The cost for the part was only $30 more than the rebuilt and I believe will make a difference in the long run. Replies to this message: palko (Oct 14, 2009 6:56 am) palko (Oct 20, 2009 7:28 am) bill_colwell (Oct 23, 2009 5:06 pm)
#6 of 8 Re: Blinking, flicker interior dashboard lights and headlights [bill_colwell] by palko Oct 14, 2009 (6:56 am)
Replying to: bill_colwell (Jul 21, 2009 7:20 pm) My 2004 chevy tracker has started to experience the same problems you describe. I put a digital and a multimeter on the battery while starting up cold and the headlights and dash lights and dome light started flickering until the vehicle came off fast idle. At idle these conditions didn't exist. As i wenr sown the road the flickering started again. It's not much flickering but it's there. Acceleration is fine. The digital meter shoed at no load 15.5-15.7 volts. With all the loads on the meter never went below 13.0 volts. To me the alternator and regulator are working. I even ran a test light from the alternator output to ground and it flicked as i rev'd the engine up in speed. Does this mean my regulator is going bad? My price for a rebuild is $165 plus tax. A new one is $471. (Pittsburgh,pa) I'd appreciate some guidance. Thanks..palko Replies to this message: palko (Oct 20, 2009 7:28 am) bill_colwell (Oct 23, 2009 5:06 pm)
#7 of 8 Re: Blinking, flicker interior dashboard lights and headlights [palko] by palko Oct 20, 2009 (7:28 am)
Replying to: palko (Oct 14, 2009 6:56 am) This is a follow up reply to my oct. 14 message. I had installed a test light from the alternator output to ground. When I reved the engine , the test light began to flash. There was no doubt the alternator was causing the blinking lights. i replaced with a rebuilt alternator and the problem is solved. No more blinking headlights or dash lights. Replies to this message: bill_colwell (Oct 23, 2009 5:06 pm)
#8 of 8 Re: Blinking, flicker interior dashboard lights and headlights [palko] by bill_colwell Oct 23, 2009 (5:06 pm)
Replying to: palko (Oct 20, 2009 7:28 am) Palko,   Good to hear that it was the alternator/regulator combo that was causing the problem.   My decision to go with a new alternator verses a rebuilt was that in another posting in this forum on the same problem had issues with rebuilt alternators going bad in short notice (I hope you have better luck with your rebuilt alternator).

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