zoutv

I have a 2000 SE w/ 95k mi.

Even with this morning being a brisk 20 degrees, I was not expecting this crap as my Max has always done great in cold weather. Last night I noticed when I rev it up to 4,000 RPM the battery light flashes quickly, for less than a second. When I rev it up to 5,500+ RPM the Brake and Battery light flash intermittently at the same time. Never below 4,000 RPM

What in the Hell is going on!!!

Recent battery history…. I bought a new battery back on Dec 1 as my car kept on dying. But it ware really the alternator, so I had that replaced. I still have the AutoCraft battery which is rated 700 CCA. Should be more than enough juice for a cold day like this, no? BTW, I had the Seat heater on, CD player, Heat on and Headlights off. I turned all of this off and got the same problem.

Why would it happen only when I go beyond 4k RPM?? What the hell could it be?

Suggestions?

AceofSpds

iTrader: (4)

check for slipping belt

NmexMAX

iTrader: (22)

Alternator.

phatboislim

iTrader: (27)

x2...i'm not sure if this car has a self tensioner or you have to retension it...but...chk your belt..if it has never been replaced...then replace it

MaXiM@KiD

iTrader: (3)

Alternator...did you get a remanufacture one and where did you get it from...see if you can get the alternator tested at autozone or something like that....but it most def sounds like you got a faulty alt

Scottwax

iTrader: (8)

Slipping belt or alternator.

zoutv

I had 'C Level' service last June at the Nissan dealership. They replaced the Serpentine belt. Is this the only belt I would need to check to see if its slipping? Not uber mechanically inclined like most folks here, but how can I check the belt itself? Is there a tool I need? Would the cold weather effect the belt so it would slip?

MaXiM@KiD

iTrader: (3)

take it back to who ever replaced the alt and tell them to check it for you ...tell them the problem and that you suspect it's the alternator again...you should have some type of warranty on the alternator

upstatemax

iTrader: (15)

Most likely a slipping belt, I JUST went through this.

New Alternator, new battery and my car was dying... Ended up that my tension pulley was busted and not turning the belt like it should.

Had it replaced and everything seems fine.

When my car was tested, the battery tested fine, the alternator tested bad (14.8 at peak). Once the alternator was pulled and bench tested, it tested perfectly fine. They could find nothing wrong with the wires and ground… I think when they tried to re-install the alternator they found that the tension pulley was busted, they replaced it and now everything tests fine on the car.

phatboislim

iTrader: (27)

this car has a self tensioner right? i'm new to maxima's but i know it has a serpetine belt and all serpetine belts i've ever messed with has a self tensioner

NmexMAX

iTrader: (22)

No, it does not, it has a 'serviceable' tensioner. Non self adjusting. Horrifically easy to do especially for that particular belt. Loosen idler pulley bolt, adjust as needed, tighten idler pulley bolt, done.

Actually, not all cars, because these Maxima's don't.

phatboislim

iTrader: (27)

thats cool. i'm trying to become knowledgeable on maxima's as i was on integra's before mine was stolen...need to get a new tool kit as those lamers stole that too(it was in the car)

zoutv

How do I know when I'm done tightening it? I don't want to over/under tighten it and make things worse.

phatboislim

iTrader: (27)

theres suppose to be like a 1/2" of play in the belt persay when its correctly tensioned

NmexMAX

iTrader: (22)

http://maxima.theowensfamily.com/udp.asp

Cliffs: ~7mm of play.

upstatemax

iTrader: (15)

1/2" is about 12.5mm...

phatboislim

iTrader: (27)

thanks for the correction

zoutv

How much do you think a mechanic would charge to check and adjust if necessary? In terms of time I guess...

upstatemax

iTrader: (15)

Nissan charged me $232 to remove, test and reinstall my alternator, and then replace the tension pulley.