Yesterday I had a new battery installed in my 2005 Caravan, on my way home I noticed the instrument panel and radio lights flickering, does this just mean the new battery is charging or could there be some problem under the hood. thanx

 

There should be no flickering at all... that is likely happening due to a loose connection somewhere. If they just changed the battery, i'd be re-checking the connections physically by loosening them and re-tightening them. Also, based on the age of your van, have a good look at the fuse box under the hood... is it starting to show signs of corrosion? Notice any of that whitish dust? If so, you can try to clean that up too.

 

I took the new battery completely out and both posts are clean and tight, also the fuse box is clean, inside and out any other ideas? thanx

 

Have someone sit in the seat and watch while someone wiggles that small cable coming off the positive battery terminal. They've been known to corrode at the connection causing electrical problems.

 

I wiggled the positive cable and the flickering didn't stop but I heard an intermittent beeping sound coming from the alternator area, could this new battery have screwed up my alternator,because those (alternator) connections seem to be ok???

 

Do voltage drop tests on both battery cables. I have seen resistance in the area where the battery clamp is soldered to the cables.

 

I had a mechanic do a voltage drop test on both cables and he saw the flickering lights and heard the beeping coming from the alternator. He said the positive and negative cables are ok and its the alternator that has a problem but it could last for a year or two before I need a new one. The flickering lights goes away when the engine gets warm so Im thinking maybe I could check for something else?

 

What is the battery voltage when it is flickering? I test drove a Grand Caravan that had a similar problem. The battery ran flat because of a remote starter that was installed, and after they jump started it the lights would flicker unless the booster pack was connected. As long as the pack was connected the voltage would come up to ~14V and the flickering would go away. While the alternator was trying to charge the dead battery it would fall way down and the flickering would start.

 

when he was testing the voltage went up and down like a yo yo between 14 volts and 8 volts on both posts and thats when he said its the alternator.

 

I had one at work that had flickering lights after a new battery had been put in. It stopped doing it when it warmed up or if you turned the heater fan on high. The new battery was bad.