Pulsating lights

[seamusnh]

I have a 98 Camry with 250k miles. The lights have started to pulsate. this includes the headlights, dashboard lights, domelight. I happens whenever the car is on, moving or not. I thought it might be the battery connections so I took it out and cleaned all the connections. Any suggestions would be appreciated...

[TrailDust]

Well, you've got your battery connections taken care of. How old is your battery? It could be getting very old and unable to hold a charge. If it's not too old then I'd suspect the alternator...the brushes may be worn and going bad.

[Mike Gerber]

I agree it may be the alternator, but check the belt tension first. If that feels OK to you, I would make a few phone calls to auto parts stores in your area to see if any of them offer free testing of the alternator while still on the car. You should be able to find one that offers this free service. Take the car there and have the altermnator checked out.

Mike

[Jimnist]

Sounds like the voltage regulator(inside the alternator) is on it's way out. Unless you've got a powerful stereo system?

[preacherzson]

I have an 01 Avalon 125k mi that just started doing the same thing- pulsating lights. It just drained the battery tonight, but it's been acting up for 2 weeks now.

• In the last couple of weeks the car has intermittently stopped shutting off the lights after the ignition is turned off. I'd park and go into a store and when I'd come out the lights would still be on...sometimes.Sometimes it would work normally and kill the lights after 30 seconds.
• The battery is 6 months old.
• Car had the JBL 200w system; I changed out the head unit 2 years ago and kept the amp/speakers/etc. Six months ago, my subwoofer needed refoaming- I initially thought it was blown, so I wired in a JBL 8" sub that made no sound bc I never built a box for it. So I eventually refoamed my OEM woofer and just installed it a week ago if that. Sounds great, but I wonder if I messed something up during the interim or during the install.

Suggestions?

[haux]

I know AutoZone can/will check the alternator while it's still in. Not sure about Advance... and definitely not Pep Boys, they want to charge you for everything.