5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003) Learn more about the 5th Generation Maxima, including the VQ30DE-K and VQ35DE engines.

High beams killed engine?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 05-15-2020, 09:43 AM
  #1  
Member
Thread Starter
 
ukmastermind's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 240
High beams killed engine?

Driving around last night with the low beam headlights on. Flipped on the high beams to look down the road and the car goes whacko.
Throttle goes dead, speedometer drops to 0mph, and every warning light illuminates. As soon as I flip back to low beams, car is back to normal.

Tried it 3x and each time the above happened. Really at a loss for this one. Anyone have any idea what's going on?
ukmastermind is offline  
Old 05-15-2020, 10:50 AM
  #2  
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Prophecy99's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SE PA
Posts: 5,979
cps sensors is first guess
Prophecy99 is offline  
Old 05-15-2020, 11:58 AM
  #3  
Member
Thread Starter
 
ukmastermind's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 240
Is the CPS connected to the lighting system somehow?
ukmastermind is offline  
Old 05-15-2020, 03:17 PM
  #4  
JvG
Senior Member
 
JvG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 2,979
Seems like you have dirty battery terminals.

they pass enough current to run the car and power low beams. But not enough to power the car and high beams.

I imagine that the starter motor runs kinda slow as well.
JvG is offline  
Old 05-16-2020, 12:12 PM
  #5  
Member
Thread Starter
 
ukmastermind's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 240
Originally Posted by JvG
Seems like you have dirty battery terminals.

they pass enough current to run the car and power low beams. But not enough to power the car and high beams.

I imagine that the starter motor runs kinda slow as well.
Seems to start fine. Doesn't the alternator take over once the engine is going?
I'll double check the terminals and tell you what I find.
ukmastermind is offline  
Old 05-16-2020, 08:54 PM
  #6  
Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
 
CMax03's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Houston, Tx
Posts: 9,538
Do a load test and see if your alternator can support the load! You maybe able to use your OBD2 tester to test your electrical systems if you have one with that feature...
CMax03 is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Maxima.KsA
7th Generation Maxima (2009-2015)
3
05-15-2020 04:14 PM
cooler2000
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
10
12-02-2009 10:04 PM
soundmike
5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)
8
11-04-2003 02:34 PM
ngthing
3rd Generation Maxima (1989-1994)
14
03-01-2002 05:59 PM
animal72
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
6
10-01-2001 12:22 PM



Quick Reply: High beams killed engine?



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 02:46 AM.