raybo Posted November 27, 2010 Share Posted November 27, 2010 (edited) 99 legacy wagon with 2.2 L, IDLE IS QUITE LOW, INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS FLICKER WHEN IDLING (no flicker when engine is off) ENGINE ALMOST STALLS OCCASIONALLY WHEN COME TO FAST STOP. Had Autozone check alternator while car running and no problem indicated. Then they checked the battery and said it was bad so replaced it for free (under warranty). Flickering and low idle are exactly the same with the new battery. Any thoughts? Edited November 27, 2010 by raybo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davebugs Posted November 27, 2010 Share Posted November 27, 2010 My guesses are it's still one of those 3. ALternator (most likley), battery (you just replaced) or connections. I'd assume the connections were cleaned when the new batttery went in? If you let them do it that's not a safe bet however. Check the alternator connections at the alt. Often another symptom is the ABS and onother dash cluster light coming on but NOT the alternator light. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raybo Posted November 27, 2010 Author Share Posted November 27, 2010 I put the new battery in and connections are clean. How can I prove the alternator is bad when they say it checks out? Its under warranty by autozone. Could it just be that the low idle caused by something else is causing the flickering?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raybo Posted November 27, 2010 Author Share Posted November 27, 2010 also noticed loud static on am radio when engine on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnceggleston Posted November 27, 2010 Share Posted November 27, 2010 i have always heard that was a grounding issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OB99W Posted November 27, 2010 Share Posted November 27, 2010 A possible cause of radio interference and flickering lights is worn brushes and/or slip rings in the alternator. Sometimes you can verify that by tapping on the alternator while listening to the radio, and seeing if the interference changes in level. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted November 28, 2010 Share Posted November 28, 2010 Bad diodes in the alternator can also cause the troubles you say you are having. Have a load test done on the charging system to see if it can produce the full rated output. If it falls significantly short of spec then replace the alternator. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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