After classes today, I was going to go home. Upon entering my car, I tried to start the car, but couldn't. Oh great, not again I said to myself. It was raining, windy, and cold as heck. I had to wait for my sister to get out to class, so she can used her car to help me jump my car. Anyway, I don't go into boring details, but I finally got it going and headed home. I'm going to go buy me a volt meter to test out if it's indeed the battery that's the problem. However, I'm not totally sure if the alternator might be the real problem. I brought my car to the dealer and they told me that my alternator was fine. I don't know if that's true. Can I use the volt meter on the alternator too? Btw, this was my old battery that I put in because my Optima red top one didn't work earlier. This battery is a Sear DieHard. I might also need to get myself a battery charger. My dad has one, but I don't exactly how to use that one; it's kind of weird. And I'm going to put back the Optima red top one in, I just hope that it won't die on me again. I'm wonder would having a bit too many wires on my + battery terminal have anything to do with the draining of the battery? I have my two amp power wires hooked up to the + terminal. I also have my Varad EL scanner power wire hooked up to the + terminal. And finally, I have this red colored plastic thing hooked up to the + terminal as well. This red plastic thing is connected to the fusible links box. I have no idea what the heck this thing is for. That's not really too many things hooked up to my + terminal, is it?

 

what size amps do you have hooked to your bettery? That can very well drain your bat. Today I also experienced some problems, my dampner pulley had nearly deteriorated, bumping my CPS, and some other belts as well needed replacing. If your belts are slipping, your car may not be charging enough to keep everything going. Even if the mechanics of the car are fine, they still have to have power to operate.
I would start by assuming the load you are pulling from your battery due to the connections. This would be the most probable solution to begin with. If you do narrow it down to this, you should consider getting an alternate battery for your sound system. Good luck.

 

I seriously doubt that you have too many things hooked up to the battery. . . The only way that this would cause any problems is if the amps don't have a remote turn on and you have to turn them off some other way. . . I would recommend putting in a battery with higher CCA than the Diehard, the optima should be fine, as it will put less of a strain on the charging system. . . I have been told by people who service Nissans that it is very easy to fry an alternator because of a weak battery with a lot of extra stuff attached.

I am sure that there is a way to test the stock alternator though. . . I would assume that most places would do it free or for little cost. . . I would try and call around to places that would do this sort of thing.

 

The only way to really test an alternator to see if it's performing up to specs is a bench test. Unfortunately you need a bench tester machine to do that, which involves taking your Maxima to the shop. Shouldn't cost much at all.

I think it's better to get your alternator tested first and then worry about the battery. Cuz if it's a defective alternator, then it'll kill whatever battery you put in there.

 

Hey Micheal we can check it tomorrow morning.

The way I check is to start the car up and drive for about 5 minutes. Then I leave it running and turn off all the accessories. I check the voltage at idle and with it reved up, It should be ~13.5v at idle and 14.5v reved up. Then I put every electrical accessory on, high beams, defroster, a/c on high, radio on high, wipers, interior lights, and anything else. I read the voltage again, it shouldnt be too mutch lower. If you are seeing less than 12.6v with every thing on its probably your alternator itself or the belts are loose, or the cables are bad some place, or....

See ya in the AM

 

Thanks guys. I put back my Optima battery in, and it seem to run fine now. However, who know if it'll go later on. I bought a volt meter, the cheap one. And when I tested the battery, it seem fine as well. I checked both the Optima and Die Hard battery, both were fine. I'm starting to speculate that it's the alternator. I wouldn't be surprise if things like the alternator is bad because I have this car since '96 so it's getting old. The only thing I changed are the belts. Besides the belts and battery, I haven't touch anything else ever since I got this car.


Matt, I'll let you guys take a look at it tomorrow. I think I won't have any trouble reaching Keith's house. I'm just not too sure if one of you guys might have to help me jump my car if it doesn't start like it did today for me at school.

 

Quick and dirty way to check is to start the car and then to diconnect the battery while the car is running.. If the car turns off then ur alternator is toast.

 

I just had the same problem with my car. I was driving and then my car bucked and completely died. I had to coast to the side of the road(Check engine light came on). I brought it to the nissan dealership and he said the alternator was fine and that a sensor had to be replaced. The car drives fine now but I notice a whining sound at idle and amplifies on accerleration. If anybody knows what this whining sound is please help me out.

 

I forgot to add.. the battery light usually comes on in nissans when the alternator is bad.. it won't light up if the battery is bad