Hey, guys, recently my car started to die if I did not drive it for more than 24 hours. (It all started when I left to FL for 5 weeks and left the car in the garage, battery connected and no tender.) I checked out the battery, it checked out good, just needed charge. At first it would just need a jump and then would work perfect. Today, as I was driving the brake and battery lights came on and the car died. Tried to jump it, it ran for a little and died again, now the battery is dead. I am sitting and waiting for the tow-truck as I type . My question is if its just the faulty alternator or I should look for a drainage as well? Or what else it could be? Thank you all!!!

 

I think you need a new battery, and a new alternator.

 

alternator

 

If you have a multimeter u can test the alternator voltage supplied to the battery. With the car off, check voltage at battery terminals, should be 12 v. With car running, check voltage at battery terminals, should be 14.1 volts or so. If not, then the alternator is crapped.

 

The diodes in the alternator could also be bad which explains why the battery drains overnight.

 

yea probably not the battery since it holds a charge...i would definetly check the volts from the alternator or run the battery in another max if you can find someone to help you out with that.

 

Unfortunately when a starting battery is discharge below 80% or so, it decreases the life of the battery significantly. All signs point to the alternator for your specific problem, but the many deep charge/discharge cycles on the battery probably reduced its service life. It might be good insurance to replace both.

 

our alternators were defective...at least the 98's have a defective alternator...i took it to the dealer, got it replaced...but unfortunately got scammed by the stealership on some "we have to replace the wiring harness as well, which is not included as free for the defect or we cant do it" bull****...that was around 110 installed. i didnt care tho, i needed my car asap so i payed w/o the *****ing and bs even tho i knew it was most likely bs.

 

you got exactly the same symptoms as me....i replaced the battery and alternator with new ones from advance auto already, but same crap! now my max is dead in the garage. refer to this thread:

http://forums.maxima.org/4th-generat...placement.html

all fuses are good, have not check codes yet bec. i can't drive the car to autozone or advanceauto to have it checked; it'll die the moment i put it into gear and move a few feet.

 

Thank you, going to take that sucker out today

 

I will let you know how it goes