Battery was dying and now the car died while driving....
03-03-2010, 05:39 PM
#1
Battery was dying and now the car died while driving....
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!!!
. 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!!!
03-04-2010, 07:39 AM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Worcester, MA
Posts: 4,011
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.
03-04-2010, 07:59 AM
#7
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.
03-04-2010, 08:19 AM
#8
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.
03-04-2010, 01:25 PM
#9
Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 173
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!!!
. 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!!!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.
Last edited by imports_only1; 03-04-2010 at 01:28 PM.
03-04-2010, 01:26 PM
#11
you got exactly the same symptoms as me....i replaced the battery and alternator already, but same crap! now my max is dead in the garage. refer to this thread:
http://forums.maxima.org/4th-generat...placement.html
http://forums.maxima.org/4th-generat...placement.html
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Lakersallday24
6th Generation Maxima (2004-2008)
10
06-16-2019 01:35 AM
Maxboy23
5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)
7
08-11-2015 11:59 AM