What would be wrong with a 96 Pontiac sunfire if the warning lights kept coming on and the lights flickered?

Answer 1

It is sad that the FAQFarm system causes most technical questions to fall way short of the mark regarding enough information to understand enough of your problem to give more than a cursory analysis and answer.

Since I don't know WHICH warning lights are turning on/off and flickering, I have to guess that they are the oil pressure light and the battery/charging [alternator] light. I also suspect that it occurs when the vehicle is idling, not during that time while the vehicle is being driven. The problem will be more pronounced if there is an automatic transmission in gear while stopped [as at a traffic light].

You need to observe carefully WHICH lights are involved, and the conditions [driving, stopped and idling, etc.] If it IS occurring AT IDLE, try placing the automatic transmission in NEUTRAL while standing at stop lights, and carefully observe the lights.

IF this improves or eliminates the problem, then that is a clue as to cause.

IF the problem is just the oil pressure AND alternator lights, AND the problem is eliminated or reduced/improved by idling IN NEUTRAL, the MOST PROBABLE CAUSE is that the IDLE SPEED [RPM/Revolutions per minute] is set TOO LOW.

IF the problem were JUST the alternator light only, it would suggest:

[1] A slipping drive belt, or [2] A low or weak alternator output [possibly caused by a defective alternator or voltage regulator].

IF the problem were JUST the oil pressure warning light ONLY, it would suggest the possibility of engine and/or oil pump wear.

I suggest that the first thing to check is the IDLE SPEED, and if it is below specification for your engine, have the IDLE RPM SPECIFIED BY THE MANUFACTURER. Once the idle is PROPERLY set, continue to carefully observe the action of the warning lights for a few days.

IF the problem WAS the idle speed, then the proper adjustment should make the warning light issue "go away."

If both lights continue to go on and off, and flicker, then it appears that you have TWO PROBLEMS, a defective charging system, AND engine and/or oil pump wear serious enough to reduce the oil pressure to an unsafe level [for the engine]].

If this last situation is the case, you need to get your vehicle to a very good mechanic, NOT JUST an electrical and/or tune-up technician.