Q: I have a new altanator, dash lights, dome light and car lights still flicker mainly while driving. I still hear electrical chatte

asked by on August 14, 2017

My car's dash lights, odometer and radio light flickers. So does the dome light and tail lights. Interestingly the clock light, compass light, fuel usage lights don't flicker. I had the regulator replaced a few months ago at a Toyota shop. The problem is now worse. Also from the driver side dash area I hear what I call electrical chatter from time to time.

My car has 198650 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

AC not cooling
Sounds like you may be having two issues. The A/C and the fan work completely independent from each other. The A/C is a sealed system that routes cold refrigerant into a radiator like part called an evaporator. The evaporator is...
Self start not working in my motorcycle
Unfortunately, YourMechanic is a mobile automotive service based around the maintenance and repair of mainly cars and trucks. However, if you have a remote start on your motorcycle, it is possible that the keyfob battery is dead. It is also...
What is making my car shut off and smoke coming from my oil cap?
The inner workings of the engine get very hot during operation especially is the vehicle beings to overheat. The smoke you are seeing come the oil cap may be fumes from the hot oil circulating through the engine. If the...
Power windows and blinkers don't work.
Hi there. The relay to the windows could have stopped working. Also, the flasher or relay could have stopped working as well. Since these are two different electrical circuits, it could be possible that both relays quit, but more an...
What would cause a vibration at idle in my 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse
Hello. Most of the time if the mounts are new and it still runs like this it is because you either have a vacuum leak or the idle is too low. A dirty throttle body or a failing idle control...
A/C and heat are not working properly. Car blows heat in summer and cool air in winter.
Common causes of no cabin heat include malfunctioning blend door(s) (part of the in-dash ventilation network), a faulty or stuck heater control valve (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/heater-control-valve-replacement), a plugged heater core, stuck open engine cooling thermostat, collapsed hoses, and low coolant level. The...
Car jerks makes noise and runs at a slow speed while driving
Check to see if the air filter and housing tubes are all hooked up and not cracked going to throttle body. Have the computer system codes checked to see what codes are stored and then have the codes pinpoint tested...
Is a 2008 Mercedes C300 sport sedan with 75,000 miles a good buy?
In evaluating the wisdom of buying a particular model of car (used or new), consult the database of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA (http://www.safercar.gov). The NHTSA database contains model specific consumer complaints, official recalls and factory service bulletins...
2010 Mazda 3 has trouble starting sometimes
Hi S.E. Thanks for contacting us today. If you turn your key, and the engine cranks over every time but is hard to actually start, then the issue is not with the starter. It's more likely that fuel or ignition...

Related articles

The Best Used Cars to Buy If You’re an Interior Designer
As As an interior designer, you need to transport a great many different items, including fabric, paint and wallpaper samples and sometimes even furniture items. You probably don’t handle overly large loads very often, and when you have to, you’ll...
Politics and Personal Driving Preferences: Do Republicans and Democrats Drive Different Cars?
Dodge Rams are the most popular car in Republican states; the Toyota Prius is the most popular in Democratic areas (as are hybrids and foreign cars).
How to Use a Battery Charger
Most Most people who have been around cars for a good chunk of their lives have experienced the hassle and inconvenience associated with a dead battery (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-handle-dead-battery-problems). Sometimes it simply happens in the owner’s driveway, which is really the best...