my headlights and interior light sort of flicker while my 89 Probe idles.
When I gas it, they just flicker faster and also get brighter,
Would this be normal or could it be the altenator? Volt meter stays same at
idle and when I rev the engine.
thanks

"I. Care" <icare (AT) spamthis (DOT) com> wrote

I'm not sure I understand what you mean by your first sentence... by meter
you mean the guage on the console or some
external volt meter. What is the diode and where is it. I think the voltage
regulator is in the altenator isnt it?

John H wrote:
Most likely a rectifier diode in the alternator. Take it to a competent
mechanic and have the alternator thoroughly checked, especially for
wave output.

"Sharon Cooke" <scooke (AT) cox (DOT) net> wrote

another piece of information... when I turn on the AC, the volt meter in the
dash goes down a full letter, From the "O" to "R"
in the word NORM...
So would that confirm the altenator? and should I take care of this soon?

Quite possibly. Turning on headlights probably does the same thing... Sounds
like it's out of your scope, but if you can take the alternator out, just
about any parts store will test it for you. Or simply go to your trusted
mechanic. Alternator replacement is not exactly brain surgery.
Is this the original alternator on this 19 year old vehicle? If so, it has
already served about three times its expected life.
Should you take care of this soon? Well, if you don't mind stalling in a
strange neighborhood in the middle of the night and have good towing
insurance, perhaps not...

"John H" <john (AT) nospam (DOT) com> wrote

"Happy Traveler" <happy_traveler (AT) abc (DOT) net> wrote

Turning the headlights on has no effect. It was supposedly changed out 2
years ago. Perhaps
they put in a cheapy one?