What part of the car could be the problem?

Question

I am not a car person and I just had my altanator repaired. When I am sitting at a red light with my foot on the brake my dials for the oil &battery move a lot up and down. Even before getting the altanator repaired. I also notice the dials move alot when i am using the blinker lights waiting to turn. I drive an older car but my car hasn't always done this. My battery is about 1.5 years old

Answer 1

Make sure your battery terminals are clean. Corrosion will cause bad contact between the clamps and the terminals. It's easy to check. Look for white flakey deposits on your battery .

Answer 2

I would try another battery from another car, I pulled into walmart one day and 15 min later went to leave and my guages were doing the hula, went back in got a battery and end of problem. If the other battery works get a new one.

Answer 3

well just about anywhere can check the charging system and most do it for free like autozone.. and your guages should move... but either way why not stop and have the thing check and not be guessing

Answer 4

Check that the terminals on your battery are clean also check where the negative or black wires from the battery connect to the body/frame/ engine what is most likely causing this ia a poor connection

Answer 5

I would suspect the battery because it sounds like it is not holding the voltage steadily, even with a new alternator.  Remember your alternator does not charge the battery, it maintains the voltage.

Answer 6

HI

A couple of things .. it sounds like maybe its not idleing fast enought.  Step on the brakes and add a little gas does the sympton go away or get better.... Might check that should be in the range of 650 to 750 RPM's in "D" if an automatic.

is the belt tight enought? a lose belt well cause it to slip a little at idle and not produce enought power.

Can't hurt to get the battery checked .. a parts store should be alble to do this at no charge..as well as check the starting and charging systme.

Good Luck

Tim