just driving yesterday, these two lights went on and stayed on...
stopped the car, started it up a few hours later, and the lights stayed on...

I'll assume my alternator is gone...but, are there other possibilities?
Maybe a fuse? fusible link?

Can I reset this?

The car was driving normal, and my lights weren't dimming when I braked...
windows did seem a little slow though...

all thoughts welcome!
FLO_BOY (aka TheRealG)

 

It's your alternator - its no longer charging the system. Check the recall to see if you're covered!

 

you'll know it the alternator when you're driving down the road and the car shuts off, or your radio stops playing and headlights dim to nothing

but this might not happen for a day or so since you've totally gotta kill your battery first......take it to autozone and they can check to see if your alternator is not charging properly

for the "brake" light, if you did any recent brake work it might be on or if your fluid is below normal

 

I've got a heavy duty battery, which explains why the car still runs (thankfully).
also, the brake light + battery light came on at the same time, so I think my brakes are fine (should be, and felt fine).

as for the recall, my car is a few months too old...damn.

thanks!
FLO_BOY

 

Your brakes are fine - those two lights indicate the failure of the alt. I had this exact same scenario about a month ago. Expect for pay about $260 for an alt from the dealer, and you might as well throw in the $15 belt on top of it. You can change it yourself with minor headaches (the A/C compressor needs to be unbolted and moved) - just take note of how tight the tensioner is before you start taking things apart.

 

thanks.
I think I'll get a mech to do it -- there's an electrical place between me and work...

FLO_BOY

 

Hello FLO_BOY,

Reading your thread in the Canadian forum, I take it that you get another HO from Nissan OEM, is this right?

I wonder what's the amperage of that one? 125?

My alty just died on me and unlike you, I was driving around with the battery for about an hour before the car completely died. When you have the HO unit, does your interior light dims noticeably whenever you press the brake pedal?

I was thinking to get a better unit, but I am not running any system currently. 150 would be nice, but I definitely has no need for 200 amp like deezo's.

Let me know!

 

hey dude --

I had the shop rebuild my original alternator...my lights USED to dim when I'd hit the brakes, but after putting the alternator through the ropes last night, it worked like a charm!

my point? my point is that a newly rebuilt alternator (Max's have two types, of which I have the higher output one) should not cause your lights to dim, and that the dimming was probably a symptom of an "about to go" alternator.

I have a Microvision screen, DVD deck, amp + 1 sub and heated seats + mirrors with no dimming after the alternator was rebuilt.

hope this helps...
FLO_BOY
(aka TheRealG)

 

Is there anything wrong with using an aftermarket Alt? I can get a bosch reman from NAPA for 159.

 

I doubt it...if it's for a Maxima, I can't see any issue...any other opinions?
FLO_BOY

 

I have this same problem, and the car will shut off then start back up after awhile. I had the alternator replaced and the lights are still coming on. I was told could be the ignition switch. Any other answers?

 

Are you still having the same problem though? I doubt it's the ignition switch. Something must be faulty within the charging system.

 

I am having a similar problem! Let us know how it turns out!

 

You replaced the alternator and the lights are still on? Take the alternator back and have them test it. If it passes all tests, start checking the harness.

 

ALTERNATOR! affirmitive.

 

Check your battery and Alt.s fuses!

 

Definately check fuses or fusible links(not certain the max has them). Sometimes it'll be the regulator that goes and it'll take a fuse with it so make certain those are good. May not hurt to check your grounds while your at it.

 

sry to hack this thread buut just my brake light came on...and when i pressed the brakes in park i saw my headlights dim slightly and heard sort of a clicking noise..? could this be the alternator?

 

Odds are, yes, it is your alternator. When the brake and battery light are on it is caused by either an overcharge or undercharge in the charging system or just something generally wrong with it.

 

lol oh okay well i'll consider it being my alternator even though the battery light didn't come on...

 

My bad, I mis-read your post! I don`t know about the clicking sound. You could check your brake fluid.

 

Turns out, the alternator needed time for the brushes to settle, everything is fine now.

 

Glad it worked out for you and this thread is 5yrs old. lol