Headlight/Battery Flicker

chipsteph12 · 09-27-2014, 11:37 AM

Hello,
I have a 2002 Saturn SL, 109,000 miles 5 speed. About two weeks ago I started having a problem. My headlights and dashlights flicker when I get above 2200 or 2300 rpms. Also, the battery light has started coming on at the same time. If you drop to 2000 rpms or below, no problems (battery light goes off, headlights stay on). I've had the battery and alternator checked twice, no problem. Any ideas where I should look next would be greatly appreciated.

Signmaster · 09-27-2014, 12:04 PM

Unless you have a slipping belt, bets are still on the battery or alternator. I'd check with a meter and alter the rev range to see what voltages show. It's possible you have a connection or ground that is intermittent and only showing up at certain rev ranges, but IMO that isn't likely if it consistently relates to RPM.

Battery cables and connections can look good and have issues as well. But for charge to drop as revs rise isn't very common.

billysvue · 09-27-2014, 01:28 PM

or maybe V regulator is going/bad diodes and V is spiking?

RichardM · 10-14-2014, 05:01 AM

Did you figure out what it is??? I was having a problem last year and decided to re[lace a seven year old battery. Six months later noticing problems coming back... I am going to try replacing the alternator next

09-27-2014, 11:37 AM	#1
chipsteph12 New Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 1	Headlight/Battery Flicker Hello, I have a 2002 Saturn SL, 109,000 miles 5 speed. About two weeks ago I started having a problem. My headlights and dashlights flicker when I get above 2200 or 2300 rpms. Also, the battery light has started coming on at the same time. If you drop to 2000 rpms or below, no problems (battery light goes off, headlights stay on). I've had the battery and alternator checked twice, no problem. Any ideas where I should look next would be greatly appreciated.

09-27-2014, 12:04 PM	#2
Signmaster Master Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 6,354 Signmaster's Photos 1995 SL1	Re: Headlight/Battery Flicker Unless you have a slipping belt, bets are still on the battery or alternator. I'd check with a meter and alter the rev range to see what voltages show. It's possible you have a connection or ground that is intermittent and only showing up at certain rev ranges, but IMO that isn't likely if it consistently relates to RPM. Battery cables and connections can look good and have issues as well. But for charge to drop as revs rise isn't very common.

09-27-2014, 01:28 PM	#3
billysvue Master Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: san diego Posts: 4,355 2005 VUE 2.2L	Re: Headlight/Battery Flicker or maybe V regulator is going/bad diodes and V is spiking? ... '05 ,2.2L, FWD,5-speed stick with transaxle death rattle is history,,, '17 Suby Forester 245216 mi. VUe is off to the dealer auction I'm a secondhand vegetarian. Cows eat grass, I eat cows.

10-14-2014, 05:01 AM	#4
RichardM Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: South Carolina/Florida Posts: 25 RichardM's Photos 1998 SL1	Re: Headlight/Battery Flicker Did you figure out what it is??? I was having a problem last year and decided to re[lace a seven year old battery. Six months later noticing problems coming back... I am going to try replacing the alternator next

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Intermittent cluster flicker after battery change	rijoemi	L-Series Tech	3	05-15-2013 04:09 AM
Weak Battery? - Lights flicker	RLFEEN	S-Series Tech	4	09-26-2010 09:29 PM
DRL indicator flicker	bryanb	S-Series Tech	2	09-18-2008 11:26 AM
All my lights tend to flicker	AtlantaMike	S-Series General	3	03-19-2005 01:21 PM
Low Cooland and Low Battery Lights both Flicker at the same time	HomeBase	S-Series Tech	13	09-05-2003 12:42 PM