I recently had my alternator changed in my 1999 maxima back in april of 2012, and it just died 2 weeks ago so I went to my parents mechanic and got a remanufactured napa alternator put in. When I came to collect my car I noticed the alternator dash lights (brake light with battery light) came on, he brought it into the garage left it on for 2-3 min and came out saying that the brushings sometimes initially cause a problem and this happens.

I then drove 100 miles back to where I live this last thursday (4 days ago) I've since started my car only 3-4 times and each time I start the car the brake light and the battery light come on for 2 minutes then disappear. I just started the car in preparation for tomorrow (drive 18 miles into brooklyn) and the lights came back again, then I turned the car off and turned it back on and there were no lights showing.

so cold start = battery + brake lights come on
repeat start after 2-3 min being on = no lights come on


anybody know whats happening here? I was thinking to wait it out this week and see if itll fix itself like the mechanic suggested, but now that it hasn't done so yet Im getting anxious cause I don't want my car to be stranded in brooklyn.

 

Something is wrong with that alternator. The brake and battery lights are telling you that the alternator is not charging. Exactly why it is doing this, I don't know. But my guess is that the voltage regulator inside the alternator has a problem.

 

yeah probably something is up with the alternator. kinda steer away from Napa reman alternators, we use them at work and lots of the vehicles come back within 6 months having alternator problems again. not the route to go out of personal experience

 

"The brushings sometimes create the problem".Man take that alternator off and hit that Napa guy in his forehead and maybe he wakes up and realizes what he says -__-.
Bro it's what these other guys are telling you.I changed my alternator myself too.I got one from Autozone,a remanufactured one.I didn't wanna go for it,but my buddy mechanic told me I have a lifetime warranty on it if it EVER breaks down,so I got it.Oh and its a Murano one with 150amps.
-What lights I got on my dash when the stock one broke down?
-Brake and Battery light.
Bro if you have a warranty tell then you want a replacement or your money back.Alternator should NOT give you those lights on EXCEPT if something's wrong with it.Good luck

 

I've gone through so many alternators its on my last nerve. Right when mine started dying it would do the same thing yours is currently doing. It's only a matter of time before your lights won't turn off.

 

Yeah I have been through these same headaches with AutoZone alternators until I realized the OEM one is practically the same price as AZ. Never looked back and don't have any issues at all.