E36 flickering headlights and interior dome lights

[92325onMrims]

I have a BMW e36 and i have noticed the interior dome lights and headlights flickering, it happens when driving and at idle. Can some one please, please help?
Thanks

[jesse096]

Flickering? Or are they dimming? If they are dimming, like a pulsing light, it might be time for a new alternator. I would go get that and your battery tested at your local autozone or parts store.

-Jesse

[Shinka8U]

I have the same problem on my e36 coupe, but the interior light flicker when i hit bumps :/
And my drivers side door window does the seal shut thing for a quick split second.
Could be a wiring issue/shortage?

[92325onMrims]

well not only do i have that issue but now the car bogs way down when i turn the lights on and this morning it died when i turneed them on, i know so many people with little ricers and they dont have this issue with their HiDs, i just bought these HiDs and there was no issue with this right when i installed them, this is really frustrating me at this point

[winkosmosis]

I had flickering too (not pulsing) and replacing the alternator fixed it.

You can go to Autozone or whatever store and have them test your alternator and battery

[92325onMrims]

i go to a skills center for school so ill test it there thanks guys

[islandtime]

Sounds like your alternator is dead. If the hid lights are working properly after they warm up the draw a good bit less power than the stock lights.

[92325onMrims]

We just replaced the alternator probably a year ago. God this is frustrating the hell out of me. This is also throwing a code saying low beam fail.

[islandtime]

Many HID kits will because of the lower power draw. Just because you replaced it a year ago doesn't mean there isn't a problem now. When its running check the voltage a the battery and ad the jump terminal by the shock tower. If its any different you've got corrosion in the power cable and its probably at the terminal end by the battery.

[92325onMrims]

we just cleaned the terminals today and nothing happened, i went to the shop i bought them from and he gave me a set of new bulbs and it seemed to fix the problem, if it does pop a code again, i found an error code eliminator on DDM tuning that is meant for HiDs that's my plan b. still checking the alternator amperage and such though