Is it my alternator?
I have a 2004 ford focus zx3 PZEV and when I turn my headlights on they flicker a little. This also happens to the interior lights as well. At idle when the rad fan kicks on the lights dim significantly until I start to drive again. I used a multimeter and with the car off get a reading of 12.4 volts. With the car on and no lights, radio, AC, it bounces between up to 14.2v and 14.4, with all those things on after about 5 minutes it bounces between 13.6 and 14.2v. It eventually got as Low as 12.6 and stayed more constant.
Your alternator is working fine. You may have some grounding problems. Make sure the ground straps between engine and the body are in good shape.
It could be. With the car running at a fast idle the voltage at the battery terminals should not be below 14 Volts. Check that all wiring connections at the alternator, battery and the ground wire to the cars chassis / body are clean, tight and sound. How old is the battery, as if it is failing this could be the problem, get it load tested and if this proves it to be OK then the alternator is suspect. A good garage or auto electrician will be able to load test the battery and check the alternator and charging system and advise.
My 2004 Focus (PZEV model as well) eats an alternator every 2-3 years since 2010. However, in every case the electrical warning light had lit on the dash board.
In your case it could also be the battery or simply a bad connection at one or the other end of the battery cable. You need to get a proper diagnosis at a shop so you do not spend a pile of money on stuff you do not need.
If it got as low as 12.6v while running you do have an alternator problem
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