98 camry Electrical problem (flashing lights, headlights, interior lights and…etc)

[seahawk98]

Hi,
I got a weird problem with my electrical system. When the car is at idle (engine is on) the entire car's lighting system is flashing (slitly, yet ignoring). It looks like a rhythm of a heart pumping. Could it be the battery thermals that has a bad connection or the alternator is about to die?

Regards,
seahawk

[Cammy_01]

Funny, I have the same problem with my 2001.. flickering interior and head lights.. all the lights and just posted about it last night.. no response from anyone as of yet. I suspect a loose ground wire, I checked the battery, nothing loose there, must be somewhere else.. I doubt an alternator issue unless there is a loose connection at the Alternator. Always good to check the charge rate, should be in the 13 volt range, no less than 13 no more than 13 across the battery terminals.

Might be a good idea if we remove the connections, clean them and
re-install and re-torque all the connections at the battery and alternator just in case it is something not visual.

[seahawk98]

Hi,
I just took my car to the dealer; they said it is normal for camry from 97-2001 models. The master technician told me that it's caused by the Mass Air Sensor. To make the long story short, he said in order to keep the Mass Air Sensor working properly the Exhaust Manifold has to be at 1500 degrees. Now, in order to keep the Exhaust Manifold at that temperature, there is a heating coil that does that job. Every time the heating coil kicks-in it draws about 20amps from the alternator. As the result of that, it shows the flickering electrical system. If this is the truth, why would Toyota release this vehicle at the first place back in 1998? There is got to be a solution to this damn ignoring problem!

Regards,
seahawk

[Cammy_01]

That is a ridiculous statement that it is normal.. I would disconnect the heating coil and see if the lights still flickers, I suspect that it will still flicker and you can take it back unplugged and show the dealer that it is not the problem. I am still looking for my flickering light issue. Did you disconnect all the battery and alternator connections, clean them and re-connect making sure there is a good connection at all the points or check the charge from the alternator?