Flickering generator light

[DoubleV]

As stated my generator light is flickering on. It's very faint but it's there. It's not all the time though. The weird thing is is that when it's doing it, it goes out when you use an electrical device like turning the radio on, applying the brakes, using power windows etc. I'm not very electrical savvy so I'd like to start looking in the most likely places first instead of full blown electrical testing if possible. So where should I look first?

Also my cruise control has also decided to surge when in use.... if it even decides to work at all as sometimes it won't even engage. Since I've just noticed these 2 problems at about the same time, I'm assuming they can possibly be related.

 

[pontiacgp]

The alternator is on it's way out, a dim light means one of the 3 phases is burnt. I don't think it's related to the cruise control

 

[RunAwayNJ]

Sounds like 2 separate issues that happened to arise at the same time. There could be an electrical short or issue with the cruise control, loose wire, anything like that. As for the surge could be a vacuum leak or something. The alternator sounds like its on its way out.

 

[DoubleV]

Alternator swap is certainly nice and easy. I have a reputable place by me that does quality alternator rebuilds. I guess while I'm at it I could up the power from 78 amps to 94 just in case I decide to add some more electrical devices in the future. I was actually planning on doing this anyway so I guess the timings good on that.

For the cruise, everything checks out on a visual inspection and the vacuum lines/connections are good. For that I think I may have to bust out the service manual to track down that problem. Hopefully it's an easy fix.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Evan11]

The alternator is on it's way out, a dim light means one of the 3 phases is burnt. I don't think it's related to the cruise control

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