I just had an issue with the vehicle overheating. I had this fixed at the shop. As i drove home, with the lights on, the car was idling low at stoplights and had some hesitation. I just bought the car and the previous owner said the battery was weak. Could this be the problem?

Its the batt and alternator. take the alternator to get tested, such mechanics tinker with your car to make it run for about 100 miles then take a crap on you. Mechanics are blue collar jobs and depend on cars breaking down or they don't eat, don't get paid, or don't even get that big screen plasma TV and NFL (go raiders) ticket (Direct TV) they want. Put yourself in a mechanic state of mind. you only relay on cars breaking down to make money. its pathetic. NEVER take you car to a mechanic. you got this board to help you. One must invest into ones-self to thrive for forever days. I learned that when a mechanic tried charging me for 600 bucks for a diagnoses. didn't even touch the car. i settled for 85 bucks due to a contract breach. still in general thirdgen.org would have helped you fix the overheating problem. Basically just try to be more aware of the world we live in. My point is, mechanics sabotage us a lot of the time. A lot of mechanic wish they went to a school and earned more while young and had a nice career making bank. they have nothing to lose. Just a thought.

did you lights flicker ? if so, un bolt the alternator, take it to autozone or kragen get it tested. the batt goes bad after 5 years typically