2004 Power Flicker Issue

My mother drives an 04 Focus. Long story short, all the cars lights flicker when the engine is on, it does not do this when running solely off battery.


Just curious what this could be. Im assuming it may possibly be the alternator. A guy i know that used to be a ford tech told me there used to be a bulletin out and it was a common issue, but had something to do with something else and not the alternator (didnt give specifics).


Needless to say, I want to fix it. Its seizure invoking when you get stuck behind the car at night! :runaround:

Any ideas?

You got good advice. It is the alternator most likely. Others with your make of vehicle have had problems of the cluster lights going on and off intermittently and it went away when the alternator was replaced. How many miles are on it? If more than 100k I would replace it, but before you do make sure all the connections to the battery, ground and alternator are clean and tight. The bulletin you talk about could be the brushes inside the alternator. When the carbon brushes get so worn that the springs can't hold them against the armature the lights will flicker on and off. Since this is what you describe I think if you replace the alternator it will solve your problem. The voltage regulator is part of the altermator so if you replace the alternator and the problem is the voltage regulator it will take care of the problem. I believe a motor mount has to be taken off the the engine jacked up to get the alternator off your car. Use a floor jack with a block of wood under the oil pan.