So, I was driving today, and the headlights, console lights and gauges dim and return to normal light randomly. Then this starts happening again, and the battery light and brake light illuminate accordingly with the spontaneous dimming of all the lights in the car. What problems am I possibly looking at here? My apologies if it's just something simple I need to adjust, but it I don't think it would be because of the brake light illuminating AT THE SAME TIME as the battery light.

 

I'd be afraid of a dying alternator as most likely cause. Or less likely a nearly dead battery, or loose battery cables. Head to autozone, and have them test the alternator and battery for free.

 

well, since you were driving while this happened, its most likely the alternator.

 

Thanks. Well, three hours after that, I had to drive out again to take someone home, and had not checked anything under the hood yet...the flickering of the lights occured spontaneously for about 5 minutes as it did before; then I got a "check engine" light. Man. I'm gonna go check it out even though it's 12:18 AM here. That's weird. The problem completely went away but now I have a check engine light.

 

Hmm. So, I do the ECU diagnostic check to establish the reason for the check engine light. 0505. What the hell? Why did my check engine light come on to tell me there's "No failure recorded/detected"? Oh, and the battery light stays on when the key is in the "On" position.

 

Hey, I am one of the Tyre peons at the Lincoln, NE Sam's club.
I am no expert by any means, but If you visit a sams, they will test your alternator's charging capabilities, for free.
It will tell you your amps , with and without loads. The comp we use will also tell you if a surface charge is detected.
If your battery IS bad. I suggest getting an EXIDE Nascar XLT: Model DT34. It has 770CCA and 900CA (cant remember exact CA)
Now this will do if you have the stock BOSE, but anything else you may want to look into a battery that has longer deepcycles.

DT34: about $50 bucks

NEVER work at Sams if you can afford it. Good tire deals. But what can you say about a company that after 20 years in, promotes you to "Free sample Lady" ?

Hope this helps, if not... To bad

 

Hey now, I RESPECT those "free sample ladies." They've gotten me through the childhood woes of hunger during forced shopping-with-parents-at-warehouse-clubs situations. They are angels to me.

Haha...

Thanks for the advice, I'll check it out, supposing I can make it up to one (closest one from my house is about 6-7 miles).