Thread: Flickering lights all-around. Other posts suggest alternator or ignition switch.

First off, I currently have the ignition switch issue which causes the blower to only function on Level 5. Resistor and blower were replaced, which fixed all my other issues with it except for 1-4 not working/turning my headlights off. I plan on buying the switch at some point.

Now, that said - my lights have become increasingly dim (slowly, but surely), dimmer over the last year - when the ignition switch issue started as well. This means all of my lights. Dome lights, door panel lights, dash lights (to some extent), and of course headlights/taillights.

So my question is, can the ignition switch issue be causing this as well, or is it more likely that the alternator is going out? I can live without the 1-4 setting so the ignition switch isn't a priority item at the moment, but if it's causing these additional issues then I'd likely replace it sooner.

Originally Posted by scottydoggs

get a volt meter, and test the battery car off, it should read 12.0 or higher, lower then 12.0 your battery is on its way out.

now start the engine, the volts at the battery should now read no lower then 13.0, up to 14.3 is normal

Thanks. Will do as soon as I can, and I'll report back here what I find. I will say the battery is only a few months old, but has died on me twice - we had a device that was draining it that has since been removed and haven't noticed any issues starting the car since then. Do you think having to jump it those few times might have damaged the battery permanently?