My car died on me while driving to work last night. First it started with noticing my dash lights seeming to be a little dim, but I just ignored it. Then a minute later the music I was listening to got progressivley lower and lower in volume almost like it was the end of the song, but the song was only half way through. Then the head unit cut out completely. Then the max lost it's ***** and wouldn't accelerate anymore, and the abs light came on, along with some other dash lights that I didn't take notice of.

I had the max towed home this morning, and when I got it here, I decided to jump it for ****s and giggles. Well, it started right up, and seemed okay, the battery light was still light up, but went away with a little acceleration. however after having the ac running and my head unit for about 20 minutes or so, the same symptoms came back as on the freeway, head unit cut out, abs light came on, car died. Any other suggestions aside from a bad alternator. I'm a little weary to think it's just the alternator, cause' I was under the influence that the alternator shouldn't really make much of a difference while the car is running. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

Sorry but Im gonna have to tell you that just described an alternator break down to a T. The first time it happened at night when your headlights and stereo are draining your battery. Then during the daytime with stereo could have been enough to stall the car if it is not being properly charged. Now that the battery has been drained completely it will likely need to be fully charged or replaced if needed. Make sure you have good clean contacts on your battery as well.

 

had basically the exact same symptoms...changed my terminals on the batt...no problems

 

yeah I would head to autozone or something and have them run one of those free battery and charging system tests for you cause it does seem like the alternator to me........

 

While I've never had a problem with the alternator in the maxima, I have experienced alternator failure and it was exactly like you just described. Replace it now before you find yourself stranded in some sparcely populated area in the early hours of the morning.

But Dawifey's right, check the stupid stuff. I just doubt you would have been able to jump it if your terminals are corroded enough to kill the car.

 

if the batt light didn't flicker with RPM I'd be inclined to consider the batt cable scenario.
but since it does flicker that's usually a bad Voltage regulator (internal to the alternator)

 

Alright well, I guess it's no skin off my back to replace the alternator so I'll do that tomorrow. I remembered that I bought my current alternator at Autozone about a year and a half ago, and it had a lifetime warranty. So I called them up today, and they said just bring it on down and I can pick up a new one. So that's what I'm gonna do. I'll let you all know if anything else changes.

 

be forewarned you need proof that you bought it from them
they may have it tracked under your phone number though.
they wanted me to go to a store 6 miles away even though I called and asked
a. if they had one in stock
b. if I could just come and swap my defect
they said yes to both.
f-in liars

 

the same thing happened to me yesterday morning. replaced the alternator and if fixed the problem.

 

WTF is going on? Just yesterday you posted you changed the alternator and it fixed the problem. Are you now saying you're having the same problem with your new Autozone alternator? Having two threads within days of each other on the same topic is kinda confusing. Delete one of those threads and repost whatever problems you're still having

If you're having the same problem with your new Autozone alternator that did fix the problem, it's a no brainer what you need to do again.

 

No, I never said I replaced the alternator, in the other thread I was asking if the alternator was the culprit, but I never said I replaced it.

 

You are correct, that was someone else, my mistake. But you did start two threads with the same title within a couple days of each other. I guess that's how I got mix-up.

 

no problem, I thought that other thread was getting a little too lengthy and off topic, or rather off my problem, so I wanted to start fresh in giving the new info.