I went for a drive today and on the way home, I tried to pass a car and I couldn't, there was nothin in it. I thought for a start Id run out of petrol but Id just filled up. I have the gauge cluster out and unplugged at the moment. Would this stop the charging system from doing its thing? I got a guy to come out with another charged battery and he tested it while the car was going and was reading 11.83v and a slight drop with headlights on. So its not charging. I noticed also it was a bit slower to turn over when starting and didn't seem to have the 190hp its supposed to have.

 

Testing for a bad alternator is quite easy..
Start your car... While the car is running, disconnect the negative from your battery.. If the car dies then your alternator is bad.. If it runs then your battery is bad..

 

Cool, Ill try that when I get the gauge cluster back in.

 

OK, heres what happened. I put the cluster back together (- a few km, but you didnt read that) and hooked it up. Reading while running was 14.12 V. I unhooked it again and reading was 11.83 and dropping by 1/100 volt per second, with all accesories off. So thats the go. Id never have thought not having the gauge cluster would stop the battery from charging. So for you guys, don't drive far if at all without it because you may end up stranded and for the reason that you can't monitor vital engine conditions.

 

OBD2 has a built in system that detects the lose of power to your odometer, this is a secuirity system really. It was built into the system so people can detect odometer froud, you can get in big trouble if a mechanic get's this code. It takes 60 starts for 10 seconds or more before the code clears, you cant clear it out like a regualar code, you need special tool or 60 starts to clear it. Don't ask why I know this..

 

Sorry, obd1 here.

 

Hmm, OBD1 on a 95+ is weird, I guess that's a New Zealand thing. Is your check engine light on?

 

I thought all 95's were OBD1? Am I wrong on this?

SuDZ

 

ALL 4th gen nissan maxima's have OBD2. That's a fact.

 

well in actual fact, i have a confession. my car isnt a 95 like i tell evryone. its 1994. Its obd1. how do I know. I dont have a boost sensor or maps sensor or all the other stuff listed under obd2 in the service manual.

 

what is a obd1 or a obd2 cause havea 95 and would like to know