Is it the alternator?

[anjago]

When my lights are on and the engine is not running all seems to be ok, but if the engine is running the lights, including those on the dash, are flickering. Is this likely to be the alternator?

Thanks

[shpub]

shpub said:

Bad earth - probably the inaccessible one under the rad.

[IPAddis]

Or it could be the regulator part of the alternator. My headlights started flickering when this happened.

What's the voltage on the voltmeter?

Ian A.

[crackedfinger]

I had exactly the same thing - tried a new battery, cleaned the earths and found that a new alternator was the fix. The car also ran a LOT smoother after as I suspect there was a slight current surge in the ignition. It also solved the 'shunting' when pootling around near idle.

[anjago]

Thanks for that, mine is also shunting a lot, you notice it especially in first and second gears. I will try and do a voltage check today as well. Thanks for the replies, it looks like i am looking in the right direction. N.B. its not on my griff but on my other "boyhood" wishlist car , 205 gti 1.9, although the griff cooked its alternator last year!