battery light flickering

[greasemykey]

i just noticed on the way home from the ranch that randomly my battery light is flickering. it doesnt always do it but my lights are not dimming so the alternator is working. i checked the battery connections and they are tight. i am wondering if the alternator is starting to fail. im about to have autozone load test it and see what happens. anyone else have this issue?

[AzPatMan]

If it flickers and get's brighter as you put a little foot into the pedal, that's usually a sign that the diode is failing in the Alt.
Same thing happened on mine. Replaced it, been good ever since.

[greasemykey]

ok i just got back from autozone and it tested fine. i figured it may just be something inside. ill drive it until it craps out completely. i cant afford it until next friday anyway.

[AzPatMan]

Originally Posted by greasemykey

ok i just got back from autozone and it tested fine. i figured it may just be something inside. ill drive it until it craps out completely. i cant afford it until next friday anyway.

It may test fine because it is probably still able to charge up to 12+ Volts.
But the diode is like a check-valve, letting the electricity flow in 1 direction only.
If it's just 'flickering' you should be good for about another week or so, but really should get it changed quickly. You definitely don't want it failing and surging.

[greasemykey]

i agree with you that i should buy one soon. my bank account disagrees with you though lol.

[leoneo01]

Try checking the plug going into the harness. Even with a brand new alternator, my light flickered. I put some zip ties to support the plug and the flickering disappeared.

This may or may not be your problem but it may be worth checking.

[greasemykey]

ill check it tomorrow. i think you may be on to something. the little guy is still going though. it seems that its affected by the bumpy ranch road and the crap highways in cali.

[greasemykey]

you were correct sir. corroded and loose connections. its funny how lazy i am that i didnt bother to check that BEFORE i decided it was a bad alternator. oh well at least its fixed.