One way to try and confirm the ECU and/or alternator as being the culprits is to turn all the lights ON with the ignition OFF and see if the flickering is still there.

Phil

 

the flickering is only there when the engine is on...
to put it as simple as possible the stock 80amp alternator isn't strong enough to support the vehicals electrical needs. Lexus/Toyota decided to overlook this as just an annoyance and not a real problem. this is the last gen es with an 80 amp alt.. starting 2002 they used 100amp alts.

 

I put it in my 2000 ES300 and the flickering went away and the idle was better as well.

 

I installed a130 amp alternator in my 1998 es 300(the one I took out was brand new from the previous owner) and my lights still flicker, and often one light cuts off completely

 

bump.

Anyone else experience this? There surely cannot be a 'few' of us...

It's annoying more than anything, but want it gone.

 

I believe the culprit was uncovered in another thread, or at least a theory...the O2 sensor heater circuit, it is worst when the car is cold. Can't see any lights flickering in my car, unless you turn on the interior map light thing, it flickers like a ****. I think it is a minor design issue, not anything we can really fix, unless you want to mess with the heater circuits.

 

^ totally missed that thread then. I posted way back that I was looking into a better unit, but I've still got my 80amp stock unit.

I couldn't be bothered to swap it out. And in the event it is a design flaw, I'm not in a position to mess with circuits... Rather be annoyed by barely noticeable [unless looking for it] flickering in that case!

 

Dome light flickers on my car as well, if I ever come across a better alternator I'll consider grabbing it. But this doesn't affect the car in anyway so not worried.

 

change to a tacoma alt and u'll be fine. it fits

 

What year(s) are compatible?

 

Here is the thread it is a good read.

I have a Highlander 130 amp on my shelf for when my stock alt dies, but not holding out hope according to the thread those that swapped the alt still had the issue.

 

Oh yeah. The one thing I did was get one of those "grounding kits" off eBay, an 8awg wire kit that you can attach to componenets. I'm going to re-do it with some thicker 4awg this spring.