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Have 02 Krystal and all lights are flickering in rear area..Even opera lights..Thanks

Southern Yankee,

I told my mechanic about the different alternator you use. He wanted me to ask if you use one from a different car or an aftermarket? We have a 2000 Lincoln.

Thanks in advance

As I stated in my first post this is most likely going to be one of the alternators (you have two right?) or one of the batteries (you definitely have two of those).
Be sure to check all 4 devices (alternator x2 and battery x 2). Any one of them bad can cause the problem you are describing.

In the past 4 years Battery or Alternator has been the fix every time this has happened to one of the limos in our fleet, especially on a newer car like yours.

Check battery cables and connections as well.

quote:

Originally posted by Putzoliftes:
Replaced Alternator and Lights still flickering. Are there any grounds that anyone can mention just to make sure I got em covered.

Nice Help Guys!! adonislimo,com

Just had the same problem. Leaving a client's Tuesday night, the opera lights started flickering. When I got in the car Wednesday PM, there was no power to the back. Called Krystal when all the fuses, etc. checked out. "Replace the auxiliary battery" This car had the aux battery under the primary, behind the bumper cover. Pulled the shield and the positive cable had broken at the post. Replaced the cable, everything works.

Putzoliftes:

Like I said in an earlier post. My Limousine has been doing this for years. My Limousine has a (1) 160 amp alternator with an external regulator. You need to check the current with the vehicle running. Put a digital meter on the battery with the vehicle running and the meter reading needs to be between 13.8 and 14.5 volts. If the current is between these numbers, the system is working. When the vehicle is off, the battery voltage in the battery will be somewhere around 12.6 volts. This will determine if the system is working or not. As far as the lights flickering at idle, I have learned to live with it. Usually, the problem is the regulator. I think the real problem is when you turn on everything in the vehicle, at idle, the draw is large and the system is doing the best it can. After testing the system and if it is working within the numbers I posted, you will not need to worry about the vehicle not running. It sounds like this is a common problem with Limousines.

Replaced Alternator and Lights still flickering. Are there any grounds that anyone can mention just to make sure I got em covered.

Nice Help Guys!! adonislimo,com

quote:

Originally posted by TxLimoGuy:
Voltage Regulators and Relays are not under a great deal of stress in limos.

Alternators and batteries on the other hand are constantly under stress.

The symptoms he describes have been fixed 100% of the time in my experience by replacing a bad alternator and/or battery.

Also, as an aside, Krystal alternators are not any better than others out there. In general if you get any alternator in a stretch to last more than 2 years I think you are doing good at taking care of the electrical system.

Tony, I have to disagree. Since the regulator (which is internal on most Ford alternators) controls the output of all power systems, it's the most common failure. I have rebuilt many alternators and that is generally the problem. Once in a while it'll be the brushes, but the vast majority of the time it's the regulator.

That's why I eventually went with a high-amp alternator which used an external regulator system. That way, when the regulator went, I didn't have to crack open the alternator.

This is a problem that I not only had to deal with on limousines, but also when I maintained a fleet of Ford delivery trucks and also my race car.

Voltage Regulators and Relays are not under a great deal of stress in limos.

Alternators and batteries on the other hand are constantly under stress.

The symptoms he describes have been fixed 100% of the time in my experience by replacing a bad alternator and/or battery.

Also, as an aside, Krystal alternators are not any better than others out there. In general if you get any alternator in a stretch to last more than 2 years I think you are doing good at taking care of the electrical system.

Quote: Southernyankee

If all of the lights are flickering, then it is most likely the voltage regulator. Even if the alternator appears to be putting out the proper voltage, the problem is generally intermittent. An alternator puts out a certain amount of voltage and amperage. The regulator ensures that the end result is enough to power your vehicle's systems without overcharging your battery. When a regulator starts to fail, the first sign is a flickering of the lights and then, when it gets really bad, you'll begin to smell a serious sulfer smell as the battery acid starts to boil from overcharging.

There is a slight chance that it could be a bad connection on the back of the alternator or battery, but not very likely.

Since most of the lighting systems are on various relay and fuse systems, I would say that relays shouldn't even be a consideration.
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Yep!

If all of the lights are flickering, then it is most likely the voltage regulator. Even if the alternator appears to be putting out the proper voltage, the problem is generally intermittent. An alternator puts out a certain amount of voltage and amperage. The regulator ensures that the end result is enough to power your vehicle's systems without overcharging your battery. When a regulator starts to fail, the first sign is a flickering of the lights and then, when it gets really bad, you'll begin to smell a serious sulfer smell as the battery acid starts to boil from overcharging.

There is a slight chance that it could be a bad connection on the back of the alternator or battery, but not very likely.

Since most of the lighting systems are on various relay and fuse systems, I would say that relays shouldn't even be a consideration.

Krystals alternator lasts a long time. That is good with your alternator is putting more that 14 volts but it could be a bad conection, loose connection or rusty connection.

Jess,

What did alternator and battery test out at? My alternator is jumping all over from 13.6 to 15...plus (yikes).Battery is at 12.5V . put charger on aux battery with key in on position but not started and no flickering. Chasing after new alternator today. Thx guys!!

quote:

Originally posted by LIMOJESS:
Had the same problem on my oldest limo a 1999 ACC 120" on Sunday(yesterday).

Replaced the alternator and battery today and let the car ideal for an hour with everything on high and checks out good.

If alternator and batteries check out... then start checking your relays.

Had the same problem on my oldest limo a 1999 ACC 120" on Sunday(yesterday).

Replaced the alternator and battery today and let the car ideal for an hour with everything on high and checks out good.

I ( like the others on here ) assume that you have done the routine earth checks to make sure they are all good ?

Thought they'd solved that kind of problem in Morris Minor days when going from a dynamo + regulator to an alternator!

It is the built in regulator at low RPM not being able to stabilize the current. My Limousine has been doing it for years! It is most noticeable on the coach lights. Test the alternator and of the out put and if it is delivering 13.5 to 14.3 volts, your alternator is working correctly. Not much you can do about it. Replacing the alternator will not solve the problem. Have it tested.

The usual cause of things going bonkers in the back is an alternator that is going bad (or both of them going bad). Second thing to check would be one or both batteries.