Dim Lights

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06-04-2002, 01:44 AM

demian

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Join Date: Sep 2000

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Dim Lights

I was driving my car tonight and I noticed that my gauge lights were dim. I tried adjusting the dimmer all the way up, and it was still the same. I noticed that my headlights were dim as well, along with all the other interior lights (clock, radio).

After driving for 35 minutes, the lights became bright again. This same thing happened 4 weeks ago, but that time the lights became bright again after 15 minutes. I figured it was a one time electrical gremlin, but I guess not. Any ideas on what is wrong? Thanks.

06-04-2002, 04:42 PM

MIXXMAX

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Re: Dim Lights

Quote:

Originally posted by demian
I was driving my car tonight and I noticed that my gauge lights were dim. I tried adjusting the dimmer all the way up, and it was still the same. I noticed that my headlights were dim as well, along with all the other interior lights (clock, radio).

After driving for 35 minutes, the lights became bright again. This same thing happened 4 weeks ago, but that time the lights became bright again after 15 minutes. I figured it was a one time electrical gremlin, but I guess not. Any ideas on what is wrong? Thanks.

Check all your fuses. Our Maximas tend to have a "daisy-chain" on the electrical parts in the car.

06-04-2002, 04:49 PM

KINGMAX

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Join Date: May 2002

Posts: 1,150

Re: Dim Lights

Sounds like your alternator is going, I had the same problem and so did my friend. Both of our alternators have been replaced.

06-04-2002, 06:31 PM

maxstyle98

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Thats an alternator. But on a 99, how many miles??

06-04-2002, 08:31 PM

k-man

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that's what happened to my alternator, but about 20 minutes later it was dead.

06-04-2002, 10:54 PM

demian

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Quote:

Originally posted by maxstyle98
Thats an alternator. But on a 99, how many miles??

My car has 36k miles. I talked to my mechanic today and he said it could either be a bad ground or my battery could be going. I'm going to take it in later this week to get it checked out. Thanks.

06-05-2002, 12:42 PM

Max96

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Posts: 227

Must be gremlins.....

06-05-2002, 01:13 PM

Unibomber

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it doesnt matter how new your alternator is, it could have been spun bad from the beginning...it prolly is your alternator. Your battery is used basically to start the car up and the alternator keeps the car going + alternator recharges the battery while u drive....

my dad is a mechanic for nissan and i have heard many horror stories about the cars, this doesnt sound out of the ordinary.

06-11-2002, 01:10 AM

magic_max

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Join Date: Mar 2002

Posts: 118

I have a '96 w/64k and my batt is about 1.5yrs old. My car is beginning to take longer and longer to start up. I put a batt charger and it started normal on the first charge thereafter but slowly beginning to take longer. My question is, what can I do or measure to know which is the problem...batt or alternator? Btw, I just did a 60K tune up so I'm pretty confident it's between the batt and alternator. Suggestions please.

~magic_max
'96SE

Quote:

Originally posted by Unibomber
it doesnt matter how new your alternator is, it could have been spun bad from the beginning...it prolly is your alternator. Your battery is used basically to start the car up and the alternator keeps the car going + alternator recharges the battery while u drive....

my dad is a mechanic for nissan and i have heard many horror stories about the cars, this doesnt sound out of the ordinary.

06-11-2002, 02:14 AM

#10

KINGMAX

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Join Date: May 2002

Posts: 1,150

Quote:

Originally posted by magic_max
I have a '96 w/64k and my batt is about 1.5yrs old. My car is beginning to take longer and longer to start up. I put a batt charger and it started normal on the first charge thereafter but slowly beginning to take longer. My question is, what can I do or measure to know which is the problem...batt or alternator? Btw, I just did a 60K tune up so I'm pretty confident it's between the batt and alternator. Suggestions please.

~magic_max
'96SE

Most service stations have a device that measures wheather the alternator is charging the battery or not. Take it to a service center and have it checked, but if it was me I would want to see him check it(him or your service advisor should tell you what to look for...I would trust the tech though).

06-12-2002, 01:30 AM

#11

magic_max

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Posts: 118

Hey thanks for responding. I was hoping I could do it myself but I'll check out a service station.

~magic_max

Quote:

Originally posted by KINGMAX

Most service stations have a device that measures wheather the alternator is charging the battery or not. Take it to a service center and have it checked, but if it was me I would want to see him check it(him or your service advisor should tell you what to look for...I would trust the tech though).