# Electrical problem **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** chevrolet, tracker\ **Created:** [January 23, 2010, 7:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/electrical-problem/43087 "2010-01-23T19:32:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jim\_Durkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bcef8e/32.png) [@Jim\_Durkin](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Jim_Durkin)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2010, 7:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/electrical-problem/43087/1 "2010-01-23T19:32:53Z")
On my 2000 Chevy Tracker, the lights “pulse” when driving. Are they in danger of going out? ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2010, 10:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/electrical-problem/43087/2 "2010-01-23T22:16:59Z")
Yes, they will go out–as will all of your other electrical equipment–when the alternator totally dies. Right now, it is giving you clear signals of its imminent demise, and I hope that you heed those signals before you wind up being stranded on a cold night. Get the vehicle to your mechanic a.s.a.p. ---
**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2010, 10:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/electrical-problem/43087/3 "2010-01-23T22:24:46Z")
First, give the battery terminals and the engine ground cable all a good cleaning…Did that cure it? No? replace the alternator. Most parts stores can bench test them free… ---
**Author:** ![Cougar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cougar/32/21348_2.png) [@Cougar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cougar)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2010, 5:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/electrical-problem/43087/4 "2010-01-24T17:28:02Z")
The pulsing is usually due to bad diodes in the alternator. It causes a high ripple voltage on the charging system. Like the others stated, replacing the alternator should fix the trouble.