1996 Buick Regal Repair Question
Topics covered: Battery, Dent, Headlights.
Mileage: 155,000 miles.
Mileage: 155,000 miles.
Asked on February 9, 2013
Buick Regal Battery Problem
Hello, my headlights, interior lights and dash lights are flickering when car is running, what could be the problem? The car is a 1996 Buick Regal
Asked by (pending member)Answer
Replied on February 9, 2013
Defective generator caused by a battery that is more than two years old is the most likely answer. Due to their design they develop huge voltage spikes that can destroy the internal diodes and voltage regulator. With one bad diode the generator will only be able to develop one third of its rated output, and the regulator will jump all over trying to respond to the voltage dropouts caused by the excessive "ripple". A professional load-test will identify the reduced maximum output and the excessive ripple.