I just bought a 1997 Maxima SE today and during the test drive, as soon as I got it onto the streets, the handbrake and battery light came on. They came on at the same time and they turned off at random times on the highway. Sometimes if I braked hard or if I went over a bump, the lights would turn on/off.

I thought it was something like a relay, but the dealer said it was an alternator and he'd put a new one in before delivery. I didn't really doubt him since he wouldn't throw in an alternator (expensive) for reason. If he was trying to rip me off, he'd say something like ..."a broken turn signal's causing it".

So what do you guys think?

first off, how will you know if he really does throw in a new alternator? and also, i really dont see how a bad alternator would do that... battery MAYBE, but doubtful, and brake? not bloody likely. just my opinion, but id say be sure ot have it checked out by a trusted mechanic.

A similar situation happened to me when I was driving my girlfriend's '00 Honda Accord. Three random dash lights came on that made no sense. Our trusted mechanic said when voltage to the cars computer gets low (due to a bad alternator) weird stuff like that happens. We had a new alternator put in and the problem was solved.

I'd still have a mechanic look at the car before you buy.

Yes when the voltage goes low and before the car shuts off, it will turn on the dash lights. I would check the alternator at your local Autozone or Pepboys, they do it for free. Also check your brake fluid just in case, when the fluid is low the brake light will turn on.

And may buyer's remorse attack......NOW.

Well, the contract's been signed and we've already paid in full, so I guess what's done is done. I didn't think to check the brake fluid, but I don't think that's it...the brake and battery light come on at the exact same time and they flash on and off at the same time. I'll keep you guys posted.

The test drive went 100% though. Went full throttle on an offramp all the way up to 80mph, car pulls very very well. No weird noises, a couple of high speed stops and also a few low speed ABS stops...all good. So hopefully, it's just al alternator (the guy said he has another Maxima with the same problem - he specializes in used Maximas).

Thanks for all the quick responses....awesome community.

brake light would come on possibly if your pad are in need of replacing

In which case you'd barely be able to stop, and may I suggest GET SOME PADS QUICK!

Before my alt kicked the bucket the Batt and brake light lit up as well, I had heard it was from a failing alternator. I decided to wait it out and yes, it was. I eventually was left stranded on the side of the road when it finally keeled over.

Ive never heard about the brake pad thing, and highly doubt it woulld come on due to that.
Brake fliud yes, but pads?

Same experience here with FLAVOR. Battery light and brake light on together continuously........car died within an hour after starting it. It's the alternator.

Pads wearing thin will not trigger the brake light.

pads in very bad shape will trigger the light

but the 'brake' light will only appear when coming to a hard stop

Maybe with ABS, but without no way.

yes i do agree with this

and he would most definitely be hearing grinding and metal on metal contact

The brakes felt 80%. The pedal wasn't as touchy as the other Maximas I drove, but the brakes stopped the car really quickly. I'll bank on the alternator.

It's undeniably the alternator. I had this same situation a few months back.

Dont listen to these retards

Theres no doubt its his alternator but the issue with the brake light is when the fluid goes low the light comes on. When brake pads wear fluid has to fill the calipers and lines to compensate for the brake pad loss.

Kinda like when you press in your calipers with a C clamp and the brake fluid goes back up...

So technically yes when your pads are low the brake light would go on.. it has happened to me.

Maybe just a little. In order to trip the brake light, the fluid would have to be extemly low as it is.
My last set of brakes and rotors i ran to the ground. Since I knew I was replacing the whole setup I ran them till they were grinding. Never saw a brake light come on. I would imagine if the fluid was at the required level, the wear on the pads wouldnt be significant enough to trip the Brake light unless the fluid was already low.
I guess its possible its just Ive never heard of it before.
As far as I know, our maximas do not have a brake sensor like some cars do.

No our cars dont have a sensor.. although its basically just a wire that grounds itself on the rotor... however if the fluid goes low enough it will. Whats funny is I'm very surprised even after your brakes went down the light didnt come on. On my car my brakes were VERY close to the metal.. but then again my rotors were VERY low too... I never realized until I got my new ones. But yes it is possible.

That's hilarious. What do people come up with...

Ant is right. Dont listen to anyone.

First of all get a voltmeter and turn your engine on and wait until it reaches operating temperature (the fan goes on) or you can turn the AC on. put the positive on the positive terminal of your battery, and the negative on the negative terminal.

Read what it says under Voltage. if it's under 14 volts then replace your alternator.

Also CHECK your brake fluid. Its simple. The alternator is probably the problem

I had the same problem driving on the highway, both lights came on at the same time and were on and off. I just ignored it, and the prob went away after a few days. This isnt an advice, you should prob check it to a mechanic you trust. But also wait a day or two, it might just dissapear.

Brake light on + Battery Light on = Bad Alternator

since you have a '97, your Max is likely a candidate for a new alternator since there's still an alternator recall on '97 and early '98 Max's

i've gone through 2 alternators and that is what happens when they are about to go out

You guys got it 100% right. I saw the new alternator on the car when I picked it up (it was shinier). The lights are gone and the car runs fine. I'm still getting used to to the car and I'm paying attention to any potential problems, nothing too big so far.