New alternator was put in last week.

I just noticed that when the key is on most of the idiot lights are really dim.

 

That looks more like the light bleeding from the illuminated idiot lights. Don't be concerned.

 

Usually an indication of a blown fuse or bad solder joints in the CPU or panel.

does your dome light work okay?

Can also be an early indication of the alt failing. You do have at least 13.5 volts with the engine running, right?

 

You could re-solder the cluster. Pull it out of the car, crack it open and re-solder the pins where the harness plugs into it. Most likely, if there is a problem, that will fix it.

 

If the car was running when you took that picture, I'd say it is the light from the lit lights. How do your lights look in bulb check mode (ignition on, engine off)?

 

You wouldn't happen to have purchased a USA Industries alternator would ya? I got one and it pumps out the MINIMUM voltage barely. Getting a new one within the week...

 

When I installed the alternator, I checked the voltage and was getting 13.9v at idle.

Funny thing is my stock gauge is all over the place so I'm gonna check the voltage again.
I bought the alternator at Autozone. It's a Mitsubishi one. I do think that it's meant for the S4 though. Isn't S5 a little higher amps?

BTW the pic is with the car off. My car stalled b/c of my crappy idle and I noticed the lights. Before all of them would light up.

I'll check the fuse too. Dome light works great.

 

The S4 alt is 70 amp peak output while the S5 alt is 80 amp peak output. They do not wire the same.

Autozone rebuilt alts are known for being bad out of the box. Not uncommon to go through 2 or 3 before you get a working one.

With no lights or radio on, and at idle you should have 14.4 volts with no problem. Half a volt low would concern me that it is a bad alt.