Should my 'charge warning light' come on when I turn the key to the 'ON' postion?
It doesn't, and I'm wondering if the light itself is burned out. '99 Maxima - 190k. My grandson was driving on the freeway today and the car just died. Towed it home. No electrical at all. Checked the 6 month old Interstate battery...2.45 volts! Either the alternator is toast (original) or there's a power drain somewhere. It's raining now so I'll test the alt later. Just wondering if the light was on all the time but couldn't see it 'cause it was burned out.

 

Charging failure on these cars will result in the battery and brake light being on at the same time.

If he was driving and the car just died, I'd check the alternator or main belt as that's what drives the alternator.

 

Yes but if the belt was slipping or the alt not charging the battery that should trigger the charge warning light on the dashboard. I slapped another battery in the car and it fires right up but no charge warning light on the dash. Even when I turn the key to the 'on' position other warning lights light up but no charge warning light. That leads me to believe the bulb is burned out. Can anyone confirm?

 

I have a1996. The light with the battery symbol next to the oil pressure light does light up when my car is in the on position.

I've encountered charging issues on other cars due to a burned out bulb. The same current which flowed through the bulb on that car also supplied the exciter circuit of the alternator. The bulb would light if the exciter circuit in the alternator was defective, but it was also true that a burned out bulb would break the current to the alternator.

I would replace that light bulb, then see what happens. I think that would fix your problem.
Quick and cheap.

Do yourself a favor and replace more of the bulbs while you have the dashboard out.
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I checked my 98 Maxima and can confirm what JvG said. The only light that goes on and off really quickly is the ABS light. (if your max has ABS).

 

When the alternator failed on my 99 at 128k, I was idling and the brake / battery lights came on. Rest of the cluster lights followed, along with dimming of all lights. Everything has been great after replacing the alternator. Like the other guys have stated, with the ignition on, the battery light does come on as well. If you have a multimeter, check your voltages with the car off and also with it running. This should give you an idea where to begin. Replacing the cluster bulb will also be a good idea.

 

before you replace anything, have you checked the fuse panel and tried replacing the fuse? i'd bet $$$$ that the alty is bad or on it's way out. i've done 2 in my 95 with 296,000, so, it's a good idea to test it but i'd almost guarantee that's it's toast. belts most likely should be tightened and/or replaced if there is any wear on the edges or slack.

 

+1 regarding checking the fuse, as Max Ride said.