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Lights flickering at idle...Please help!

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Old 09-08-2007, 11:47 PM
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2blklt4
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Default Lights flickering at idle...Please help!

Hi,

Got an TR`98 mn6 27000 miles.
Noticed that at idle head lights and all interior lights including dash lights
flicker and every 2 seconds almost turn off for a fraction of a second.
Idle is always constant, no fluctuations at all, even when lights are flickering.
I noticed that my whining fuel pump would whine and not whine in tandem with the flickering lights....
Any ideeas as to what this might be?

Thanx

Last edited by 2blklt4; 09-09-2007 at 01:50 AM.
Old 09-09-2007, 02:28 AM
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DeeGee
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Are your battery cables tight and clean? Have you had the battery checked under load?
Old 09-09-2007, 06:08 PM
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tramminc
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is your drive belt loose
Old 09-09-2007, 07:34 PM
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i was thinking alternator but...
Old 09-09-2007, 09:36 PM
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flynbya2
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My guess is battery connections,possibly alternator or starter,but definately electrical connection.
It happened to me the exact same way.That was the issue,but I had to work to figure it out.
I replaced the battery with an exide orbital Gel battery for no leak issue.The problem,for me,was that the holes drilled for the terminal were not drilled quite deep enough.
I could crank the terminal bolt down so hard I thought it may strip,but because it was not drilled deep enough it would bottom out and "feel" tight............but it was not. The lights still flickered....

The fix for me was adding a copper washer(the same ones used to go from brake lines to caliper)to the mix.

I only typed all this so maybe someone could benefit from what was a frustrating issue for me for some time.

It may or may not be your problem,but it sure sounds similar to me

Last edited by flynbya2; 09-09-2007 at 09:39 PM.
Old 09-10-2007, 09:17 PM
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2blklt4
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Originally Posted by flynbya2
My guess is battery connections,possibly alternator or starter,but definately electrical connection.
It happened to me the exact same way.That was the issue,but I had to work to figure it out.
I replaced the battery with an exide orbital Gel battery for no leak issue.The problem,for me,was that the holes drilled for the terminal were not drilled quite deep enough.
I could crank the terminal bolt down so hard I thought it may strip,but because it was not drilled deep enough it would bottom out and "feel" tight............but it was not. The lights still flickered....

The fix for me was adding a copper washer(the same ones used to go from brake lines to caliper)to the mix.

I only typed all this so maybe someone could benefit from what was a frustrating issue for me for some time.

It may or may not be your problem,but it sure sounds similar to me

Wow you were dead on right....one of the connections was loose.
The idiot who last time replaced the battery stripped the bolt trying to tighten it....so he left it loose.
I tightened but not too much because like i said bolt is stripped but tight enough to make the problem go away. Thank you!

Question to all Forum members:
Can that stripped bolt be replaced or the whole wire with the bolt attached to it needs to be replaced?
Old 09-10-2007, 09:30 PM
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minitech
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Worked for me too. I had this subtle flicker of the radio/clock/temp lights mostly at idle. The positive battery lead was a little loose and tightening it fixed it. Thanks!!
Old 09-10-2007, 09:51 PM
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flynbya2
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Originally Posted by 2blklt4
Wow you were dead on right....one of the connections was loose.
The idiot who last time replaced the battery stripped the bolt trying to tighten it....so he left it loose.
I tightened but not too much because like i said bolt is stripped but tight enough to make the problem go away. Thank you!

Question to all Forum members:
Can that stripped bolt be replaced or the whole wire with the bolt attached to it needs to be replaced?
Yes,you can get the little buggers at your local auto parts store

With a little fenagling you can work them in the cable ends for the win!
I just hope it is not your battery terminal that is stripped
Old 09-10-2007, 10:09 PM
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2blklt4
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Originally Posted by flynbya2
Yes,you can get the little buggers at your local auto parts store

With a little fenagling you can work them in the cable ends for the win!
I just hope it is not your battery terminal that is stripped
It`s the bolt that is stripped....now if someone would tell me the exact bolt size would be great
Old 09-10-2007, 10:29 PM
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flynbya2
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Originally Posted by 2blklt4
It`s the bolt that is stripped....now if someone would tell me the exact bolt size would be great
You know, I am not sure.......

But they are labeled"battery terminal bolts "at Kragen

You can tell they are the right ones when you see them
Old 06-28-2015, 09:58 PM
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Blac Avy
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Originally Posted by flynbya2
You know, I am not sure.......

But they are labeled"battery terminal bolts "at Kragen

You can tell they are the right ones when you see them
I had the infamous lights flickering. Turned out to be the battery cables were loose. Tightened them up, all is well!!

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