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Question

What can causes a flickering on the lights when the car is running?

Submitted: 23 days and 21 hours ago.
Category: Car
Value: $13
Status: CLOSED
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Optional Information

Year: 2000
Make: Suzuki
Model: Vitara
Engine: 2.0

Already Tried:
test alternator and checked OK.

Posted by Doug C 23 days and 20 hours ago.

Answer

The only causes for this condition are:
Faulty alternator
Faulty voltage regulator
Poor cable connections

Verify your connections both on the alternator and at the battery terminals. Insure they are tight and free of corrosion.

If all is well, you likely do have an issue with your alternator. The voltage regulator is internal to the alternator on your model. If the flickering were caused by the regulator, it would be due to abnormally high or low voltage output. This is not the case on yours, because if it were failed, you would not have passed any alternator tests.

Inside the alternator is also a diode pack; these diodes convert the AC (alternating current) voltage generated by the alternator into DC (direct current) voltage your car can use. A by-product of the diodes is always a trace amount of excess AC voltage present in the output. Excessive amounts of this AC voltage is what creates your flickering lights, nearly at all times the engine is running.

When you test the alternator, it is best to use a job-specific tester that is capable of testing the diode ripple. You can have a failing diode pack and still result in normal charging that on a basic tester would appear "OK"

23 days and 20 hours ago.

Reply

WHERE DO I GET THE TESTER YOU JUST HAS MENTIONED?

Posted by Doug C 23 days and 20 hours ago.

Answer

Well.... you don't typically buy them for home use. Midtronics (midtronics.com) is probably one the better options out there, and is what I personally use. However a Midtronics that can test diode ripple is going to be in the 750-900$ range.

Your best bet to verify the condition is run by a dealership (most manufacturers require the dealerships have Midtronics or compatible level testers for just this purpose) and ask if they will do a full charging system test or a diode ripple test. They will likely charge you $29-50 depending on where you go, but it is much less than the cost of admission to buy one for yourself.

Verify the connections so you know it isn't anything simple, but traditionally these alternators have been know to have excess ripple issues from the diodes

23 days and 20 hours ago.

Reply

Thank you for your help, by the way there is a cheaper option for the meter you have I just found out that the analog DC voltmeter will work well with my problem and any voltage regulated issue.

thanks a million. I think you gave me a very good answer. keep it up.

Accepted Answer

Yes you can get a someone useful result using a needle type meter, it's open to interpretation though. The advantage to these testers is that they are really reliable :) There is little room for negotiation on their readings.

Thanks for using JustAnswer, and good luck with your repair!
Please be sure to "Accept" when you are done to close the question and credit my answer :)

Edited by Doug C on 10/29/2009 at 12:38 AM

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Expert: Doug C
Pos. Feedback: 100.0 %
Accepts: 
Answered: 10/29/2009

ASE Certified Technician

16 years automotive and OTR repair including specialized training from Toyota and Mitsubishi

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