i have a 86 firebird 2.8(my first car) and i noticed and a stop light or when the car is at idle the interior lights like the instrument panel lights flicker and the headlights also, they would get really dim and then back to normal. also the RPM needle will jump back and fourth from 1 to 2 at a stop light or when at idle. please help my baby out, i just got her and dont want to loose her..........

 

My lights used to do the same thing. It was probably just the voltage regulator but I replaced the alternator cause it was easier(but more expensive).

As for the idle, is your Service Engine Soon light on?

------------------
-Dan
-1990 3.1L RS
-Mods? no
-Slow? yes
-Currently collecting parts for T5 swap

 

Do not get rid of your car!!!!
I had a 92 Firebird 3.1L v6 for my first car over 1 year ago. I got rid of it because of the insurance ($275 a month). I then got an 88 Silverado 4x4, got rid of it because it ate gas. Bought a 97 Malibu LS (caught fire and burned up). I know have a non running 86 Fiero SE and a 92 Ford Escort. The point is even though I love my Fiero about as much as I did my Firebird, I just can not afford or justify buying another as I am on unemployment even with an Associate degree in Electronics.

If you get rid of your car chances are you will never have another and belive me it sucks. I still miss my Firebird even though it had problems. My Firebird was the most reliable car I ever had.

Don't listen to people who tell you to get a good reliable truck or family car becuase there is no such thing as a reliable car.

[This message has been edited by dennis6 (edited October 03, 2001).]

 

Could be voltage regulator. Sounds more like a bad ground wire somewhere. There is a chassis ground that goes from the engine block to the firewall ,that is a possibility.
Electrical problems are always a son of a gun, dont give up youll find it.

 

Thanks for the input guys, and no the service engine soon light does not come on. Now another problem just came up, when i amke sharp or tight turns i hear a mild groaning sound and slight vibration when i make those turns. For an $800 dollar car what do u expect huh, put still my first car and love it.

 

could be power steering pump?
welcome to the board.

I have a suggestion for you, do what i did before even postng, read (or at least skim thru) all topics. that's where I first found out about fitting 4th gen headers to fit our cars, the 5 page manual on doing the 3.4 swap, the many, many suggestions to go with dynomax in stead of flowmaster,etc,etc,etc.....
It took me about 4-5 days to go thru and many questions can be answered with the search. Also amusing were the episodes involving monkie way back.

 

Check you wheel bearings. When they are on thier out you sometimes get a groaning noise.