I've got a 2001 AE with 31K. While driving on highway yesterday, both the brake and battery indicators lit up on the dashboard. Brake fluid looks good, brakes feel fine, car starts fine, I don't notice any lights dimming at idle. Anybody ever experience this before? I'm thinking of unplugging the battery for a couple hours to see if will reset the lights. Any advice?

 

I experience that on my 97 and it happened to be my alternator. Check the connection plug on the alt.

 

I recently had this happen to my 2K, seems to be a common prob on the max most likely its the alternator, here's some tests to run:

1. When the car is off meas batt voltage (should be around 12.4v). Meas when car running normal condition.( should be 14.2v)

2. When the brake and batt light are on meas the voltage on the batt and at alt (big steel lug under a rubber cover) It will be at or less than 12v. BE REAL CAREFUL NOT TO SHORT ANYTHING

3 When the condition is normal hold a magnetized tip screwdriver adjacent (HOLD SCREWDRIVER FIRM) to the pulley of the alternator the magnetic field will pull the screw driver to the pulley.

4. When the failure is occuring the magnetic screw driver (HOLD SCREWDRIVER FIRM) will not be pulled to the pulley.

DaveB $214 + core chg ... I always go with Dave can't beat the service but in this case I needed it in an emergency and couldnt.

Pepboys $199 bosch alternator but $182 from Autozone .... then pepboys has a 5% price guarantee . I combined that with a $10 off bosch alternators till end of Aug to get it for $169.

Hope that helps

 

Thanx for the advice. I was going to try these tests tomorrow but the car answered my question today. Driving on the highway, almost all the dashboard indicators lit up, t/c, airbags, abs. Then I noticed everything in the car getting dim - clock, radio, a/c fan slowing down, windows really slow. No matter how much I rev'd the engine everything just kept getting dimmer and slower. I turned everything off, turned around and raced home. By the time I got home, I couldn't even wind the windows up.

I'm pretty sure it's the alternator - good thing it's still under extended warranty.

 

it is the alternator
EXACT same thing happened to me at 32k

 

Wow - that's interesting, I'm right at 32K myself. Wonder if it's a frequent issue.

 

Yep its your alternator. Exact same thing happened to me last week. Just installed the new alternator this evening.

Good luck!

 

That's the same problem that I am having now. I am going to take my car into the dealership before going to work this morning.

 

It is your alternator. Same thing happened to me last week and my warranty covered it so I took it to Nissan of Queens on Rockaway Blvd. Just ask for Henry in Service

 

Does anyone actually know what the warranty is. I was told 3y/36k so for my 2K they said it was not.

 

I thought it was 3y/36k too. I know with the extended warranty my car is now covered until 6/17/08 or 71,663. Whichever comes first.

 

3yr/36k mi is correct. You could have also got the extended warranty and those vary.

 

The 36mths/36000 warranty is correct (standard). However when I bought my car I took the extended 72mths/72000miles Nissan Gold warranty. It worked out well for me since I also got a loaner while my car was being repaired

 

UPDATE - alternator was the problem. Dealer didn't really give me any hassle, even though they have a bit of a bad rep. I've got a 6yr /75K warranty so all was covered, just paid the $50 deductible. Got the car back today. Not very happy that the alternator went with only 32K, but...........

Thanx for all the advice.

 

Why did you have to pay a deductable? That is suppose to be covered by the money you paid for the additional warranty