I just bought a '93 GXE. I got my steering wheel situation sraightened out, thanks to some of you.I thought this was the source of my problems, but not. So, here is what is going on. When I turn my my key on to accessary, no dash lights,no radio etc.When I turn key to just before start, same thing. When I start car and it sits at idle, same thing. When I rev engine[not sure at what rpm this happens], dash lights, radio, interior lights everything that is suppose work comes on. The headlights are affected by none of this and always work as normal.Also, as I rev engine up and down interior and dash lights dim and brighten.When I test drive, the wipers come on for two sweeps and interior bell goes off about every 2 or 3 min. I was hoping this might be a Maxima thing and someone could give me a magical answer to this wierdo problem.Battery in car is new. Thanks for any help.

Mark

 

check the voltage the alternator is putting out. start the car, and measure how any volts the battery is putting out. should be around 14.4 volts on a good working alternator.

 

I just checked and I reading 11.8 volts, engine speed makes no change. I know this can't be good and could be leading me source of problem. What's confusing is that some problems are when car is off. Like with key on, no dash indicaters, dash lights, interior lights, radio, power windows etc.

 

that's pretty low. that is with the engine running right?

 

Yup, engine running and no change in volts as engine speed is increased or decreased.

 

You know, the more I think about this, something has to be miswired.The alternater dosen't seem to be charging battery.It seems as though the accessarys that come on when car is started are running off the alternater output,but some things are still in battery circuit. Looks like I need to a little hands on investigating.

 

yeah, it might be some wierd wiring problem. if your car is running fine, engine wise, your alternator might not be the suspect. i remember when my alternator was crapping out, the engine would randomly die on me while at a stoplight or something. the voltage doesn't change at all with the car on and off?