head light flickering

[8bahead]

ok after all the parts Ive replaced just one more thing to p--s me off ive read the blogs, this problem is just another pain. Please take note to those of you that elect to change your blower motors, unless your a skinny person pull that seat out. I broke my rib laying on my side across that rocker my rib couldnt take my 246 lb. body.
On my road trip back from alantic city back to Cleveland. the light flickering demon reared its ugly head! with the cruise on heater motor and head lights and pulling mountain grades across I-80 in Pa. I looked like a traveling live light show. I noticed when the engine accelerated up an grade in cruise mode and the trans downshifted with all the other accessories on is when the lights really dimmed. but is was momentary and they came back up. It was very annoying. How do you know if you have this alleged air pump! and if I do or dont should I replace my alt?

[BNaylor]

What year is this Intrigue?

First make sure the battery is good, the pos. and neg. connections/terminals are serviceable and tight and check the alternator output connection. Won't hurt to get the charging system tested. In a worse case scenario you may have a bad ignition switch. From what you are saying did you replace the blower motor or resistor module?

[8bahead]

Originally Posted by bnaylor

What year is this Intrigue?

First make sure the battery is good, the pos. and neg. connections/terminals are serviceable and tight and check the alternator output connection. Won't hurt to get the charging system tested. In a worse case scenario you may have a bad ignition switch. From what you are saying did you replace the blower motor or resistor module?

Its a 2000 I replaced the battery about 1 month ago it was original equipment,during maintnance on the battery while tightening the pos post the lug broke off the battery.upon closer inspection it had corridoded from the inside out! Yes I replaced the blower motor, due to water build up from a/c last summer the blower box filled withwater and flooded the passenger compartment floor. That motor rusted on the inside it was a very annoying squeal rattling noise from the squirell cage. good idea on the alt. i'll have it checked. thanks for checkin in

[Renegade2k]

Did you try replacing your ignition switch? I am having the same problems with my 2000 intrigue

[LittleHoov]

Originally Posted by Renegade2k

Did you try replacing your ignition switch? I am having the same problems with my 2000 intrigue

Typically if you have flickering headlights and the 3.5 liter engine, the problem lies in the factory alternator, do some searching around and youll find that it has an issue from the factory which makes it succeptable to problems from both cold and vibration. There is a Technical Service Bulletin out on this very issue, the only way to really fix it is to replace the alternator with one that isnt defective. There is a new part # for the OEM units that are no longer defective, but be careful as they also still stock the old ones which are. There is also a Bosch unit available but prices tend to be close to 300 dollars. The OEM units are somewhere in the 150-200 dollar range.

Myself, I just suck it up and deal with it, some things Ive found that help are to:

1) clean your battery cables
2) Keep you car running as smoothly as possible
3) put a piece of cardboard over the radiator on the side where the alternator is

I still have the problem, and its especially evident at higher rpms. Another thing Ive always thought would help, but have never personally tried would be to get a deep cycle battery like an Optima Red Top I believe, a battery like this is designed to handle heavy loads all on its own, and since the alternator problem makes the power revert back to the battery, it might help to have a beefier battery. Again, thats just a theory.

[Renegade2k]

I came up with that cardboard Idea a couple of years ago. It isn't working anymore. I also have a problem with the BRAKE, TRAC OFF, ABS, and AIRBAG lights coming on intermittently. sometimes all together, sometimes individually. mild drivability sympotoms. The lights corraspond with a relay click and sometimes with the surging of the blower fan and lights. I know my alternator is bad because the cardboard kinda fixed it. I need to know if these other problems are caused by my ignition switch.

[RUIntrigue'd]

I also am experiencing this issue on my 2002 with 3.5 engine, along with the tach dropping slightly and I seem to feel a slight hesitation from the engine. I haven't seen any of the status indicators come on, but the dash lights do dim also. It is very intermittant, maybe once or twice every two weeks or so. Haven;t seen it now for about 3 weeks, but it's getting sightly warmer here in MN.

[flgator75]

Mine started flickering about 6 months ago, then my alternator & battery both died 2 months ago. I was charged $600 for both to be replaced by the local GM dealership but the flickering went away, lol!

[Rolm]

Warning Warning warning, If both headlights flicker it is the alternator, half of the rectifier in the alternator dies and it charges at half cycle, "that is the flickering". GM has had this problem since the alternator was introduced. Quick fix replace the alternator, if you are a real fixer-uper you can buy the rebuild kit and fix the alternator yourself. Later

[Rolm]

Originally Posted by RUIntrigue'd

I also am experiencing this issue on my 2002 with 3.5 engine, along with the tach dropping slightly and I seem to feel a slight hesitation from the engine. I haven't seen any of the status indicators come on, but the dash lights do dim also. It is very intermittant, maybe once or twice every two weeks or so. Haven;t seen it now for about 3 weeks, but it's getting sightly warmer here in MN.

It's your alternator GM has had this problem since the introduction of the alternator. A good alternator rebuilder told me to always replace your battery every 4 to 5 years. In the 4 and 5th year the battery shorts a few cells and it place a heavy load on the alternator at all time this cause the alternator to burn-out and you are wasting all kinds of gas in keeping a tired battery charged-up. later

[Rolm]

Hey dude have you fixed your flikering yet, bet it was the alternator

[Jimmy Olsen]

Originally Posted by Rolm

It's your alternator GM has had this problem since the introduction of the alternator. A good alternator rebuilder told me to always replace your battery every 4 to 5 years. In the 4 and 5th year the battery shorts a few cells and it place a heavy load on the alternator at all time this cause the alternator to burn-out and you are wasting all kinds of gas in keeping a tired battery charged-up. later

Good advice about changing the battery every 5 years. I replaced the OEM No-Maintainence battery at 5 years and replaced it with a maintainence battery. That way, every year I can add water and check each cell by putting the battery on a trickle charger.