Hi all, I have something werid that just started to happen to me today. In the beginning i would get a slight flicker from the headlights/dashlight once out of a blue when i press on the brakes. Today my radio shut off and on three times in a row. It wasn't a large enough break in electricity to shut it off completely but it did restart it. My dash lights and clock did flicker for a second. Can it be a sign that my alternator belt is sliping or alternator is dying.

I have a system in the car, but it not a super strong one, It does it with the system off or at low volumes. I had it in the car for like months so I think it is not it. Also my battery is new, it about 2 months old and is the top pepboys batteries below the optimia one.

I just need some suggestions what it might be and can't be before taking it to the shop to have it looked at.

 

Check the fuses. Most likely that's the problem. It's less likely the alternator.

 

Is it like a blown fuse, or a fuse not at the correct voltage? It sounds like something I can do myself. Would it be the engine, interior, or part of the sound system or radio head. Thanks, I just need a bit more of narrowing down the problem to solve it.

 

I personally don't know, but most likey if you check all the fuses, you will see one or two that are burned. After you replace it with the new one, if the same thing happens again, that means that you are overloading them, and you might need a bigger fuse, like 5 more amps. I don't know exactly which fuses to look at. sorry.

 

Check for a bad ground. From your description, I'm about 95% sure that's your problem.

Here's what is probably happening:

When you step on your brakes, the brake light circuit is closed (completed), and that circuit uses a common ground, along with other circuits.

In other words, you might have a ground wire that is loose or partially corroded. But it might still be good enough to operate some circuits, just not several at the same time. So what you need to do is find out where the ground is for your brake light circuit, and check that ground to make sure it's good. If it is good, check the ground circuit for any other circuits you notice that have had a problem.

You also mentioned that you have a system. Where is it grounded? If nothing else helps, you might want to relocate the ground for the system and see if that helps.

 

Along Tom's lines. I'd be looking for a cable connection that is loose.

 

I have it installed the trunk. It is on a side piece that I stripped. I going to go check it out. Thanks