So about two days ago I noticed that the display on my stereo started flickering. I recently reflowed the sodder on my BCM to fix the stereo turning off issue. Could this flicker be related? Or is this the first sign that I may need to replace my alternator soon? Currently my gauge indicates that my alternator is putting out 14-15V so that is good yes? But the flicker does seem to immitate the motor rumble and seems to go away above 2K RPM...any thoughts?

 

Bump...off the first page already dang!

 

maybe loose bulbs id take a multimeter to the battery and see what the actual voltage on the battery is the gauges are almost worthless

 

It could be an alternator issue. If so all the lights in the car would flicker. 15V from the alternator is bad... you want to keep it below 14.7-14.8 to be safe. Have your alternator checked at your local part store. I prefer Bear's ARBST test equipement that most Autozone, and Advance stores use. The little Midtronics handhelds dont cut the mustard in my opinion. This will tell you if your diodes and regulator are bad or not. A bad alternator will kill a good battery really fast so if it does show up bad replace it very soon. Or you will be replacing a battery too. Oh and did I tell you that a bad battery will kill a good alternator? Yea that happens too. They go hand and hand.

If that all checks out good then it could just be your display is dying. I have seen it a few times on delco radios.

Massey

 

Still just the stock Monsoon deck, I will have the alternator checked out today. Thanks Massey

 

If the alternator checks out, have the battery load tested. This past summer the digital displays in my other car started flickering. The battery had a bad cell.

 

This car is testing me...lol guess she wants to make sure I have the wrench skills to take care of her...

 

when i play the music loud and my headlights are on, all of the lights in the interior flicker to the song but i havent had any trouble as far as hard starts or dying out- i think its a bad ground somewhere

 

That is usually caused by a large drain on the battery not a bad ground. You might need a battery that can put out better... take that how you will.

One thing to remember with alternator powered charging systems. The car runs off the battery at ALL times. The alternator suppliments the battery by maintaining the charge. This is why the CCA rating of a battery is so improtant today.
On generator powered vehicles (early 60's and before) the power came from the generator and the battery filled in when the generator could not supply the load. Battery power was not as important back then.

Massey

 

I had this flicker with my dash lights and turned out to be a bad alternator -- battery wasn't far behind either... ;-)