Saturn 3 Door Coupes SC1 and SC2

Int/Ext Lights dim/flicker/strobe at high rpm

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Old 04-09-2016, 11:19 PM
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Default Int/Ext Lights dim/flicker/strobe at high rpm

I have a repeating symptom of the lights dimming/flickering/strobing when engine RPMs go above 4k. I've only noticed this when merging onto the highway as this is the only reason for me to rev that high. There is no flickering/dimming below that engine speed.

I had the battery checked before winter and it was ok. Battery is about 4 years old. No indicator on the dash. Car starts fast every time. I'm kinda leaning that the alternator is on its way out, but I'm deferring my suspicions to someone who knows better than me, cuz i don't know nuttin.

Ideas?
 
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Old 04-10-2016, 07:31 AM
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Sounds like the alternator to me too. If it were mine, I'd pull it apart and put some new brushes in it. But, I'm a cheap old bastard.
 
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Old 04-10-2016, 12:28 PM
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You're not cheap, you're old school where ya only replace what needs replacin'.

Dave -- are you sure the car did not come with the Disco Strobe Package (DSP?) It's also supposed to retune your radio to the KC and the Sunshine Band channel
 
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Old 04-10-2016, 10:36 PM
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Well the dome light does want to fall down and swing around.....
 
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Old 04-11-2016, 06:56 AM
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Dave, my wife said if it want to cure it, just roll down your window and yell at some woman on the street, "Shake Your Booty"! Derf, LMAO.
 
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Old 04-11-2016, 09:12 PM
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If I get slapped, I'm passing it on to you!

Garage is testing the alternator Wednesday morning.
 
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Old 04-11-2016, 09:19 PM
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I knew my emergency polyester leisure suit I keep in the trunk would come in handy! It's right next to the extra bottle of oil and my Trunk Monkey!

 
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Old 04-13-2016, 05:58 PM
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The garage has traced it to a bad belt and belt tensioner pully. And are glad to replace them for a fee of $330.
 
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Old 04-13-2016, 06:51 PM
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Geez! That isn't a bad job, anyone with a floor Jack and a mild assortment of metric sockets and wrenches can do it. The biggest size you need is 19mm to take the passenger side wheel off. The rest are 13, 14, and 15mm.
 
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Old 04-13-2016, 10:09 PM
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Hell, for that much I'd ALMOST drive up there and do it for you. If I still lived in Tennessee, I'd come do it for $300. But I don't, so I won't.
 


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