So I was just driving along last night when my battery and brake idiot lights come on. No noise no thump, nothing. Just came on. My lights dimmed a bit indicating I was no longer getting a charge. So running through some quick tests with a voltmeter showed indeed, no charge from the alternator.

So, even though it seems rather cut and dry that I probably need an alternator, my question is this: why would the brake light come on too? It's got me a bit baffled and a little unsure that the problem is just an alternator.

Has this happened to anyone else? Batt AND brake light come on when alternator goes??

 

Did you search?

Didn't even really need to, this was on the second page: http://forums.maxima.org/4th-generat...ake-light.html

It's also in the stickies, IIRC.

 

thats how NISSAN designed to let its drivers know that the alternator is bad.