'07 SL, 100,000 miles

Four times in the last three weeks, the electronics shut down and then immediately turned back on. The radio turns off and the dash instruments go blank. The car continues to run. Spoke to two Nissan dealer service shops and neither has heard of this. Any thoughts?

 

sounds like you might be either loosing your alternator, or your wires to the alternator might be bad. At first I was thinking the Camshaft Position Sensors, then I realized you said you lost your instruments and electronics. The CSP sensors would cause the car to stall out but still have all electronics working. I would have your alternator tested to see if it is good and the wires are good. You might have something loose that only happens when you hit small bumps or turn the wheel a certain direction. Pay close attention to what you and the car are doing when it happens again.

 

Thanks. I'll have the alternator tested. The last two times it's happened, I was at a complete stop, having just stopped at a light.

 

do you keep your radio settings? I'm thinking perhaps loose battery cable?

 

I don't think it is the battery, reason being is that the battery is only used to help start the car and used when the car is off. The alternator is what keeps the car electronics running after it has been started.

 

Amerikaner83 - Yes, the radio setting stay. When the electronics come back up, everything is immediately normal.

The battery tested very low yesterday. Sorry, I can't remember what the guy told me it was, but I recall the level was about 20% of normal. Battery is about 18 months old.

All - thanks for the input. It's helping!

 

Is it getting harder and harder to start the car? Sounds like your battery isn't getting charged, which like said would mean something is up with the alternator.

 

Where did you get those wheels? every time I see them I want them. I need these wheels.......

 

No. Same turnover as always. I have noticed the keyless entry is getting sketchy, only on the doors, never turning the ignition.

Voltmeter readings on battery this morning:
Cold, engine off - 12.26
After 25 minute commute - 13.86, engine running. 12.64 engine off.

Clock stopped overnight and radio settings gone this morning.

 

Hmm... so it doesn't necessarily have to do with driving then since it seems intermittent. When you say the electronics go out, does it seem to be everything or only certain things? Like do you know if the headlights go out? I haven't taken a hard look at it, but I would take a look at all the common power connections. Maybe the accessory relay? I skimmed through the Power Supply, Ground and Circuit Elements section of the FSM, available here if you don't have it.

http://boredmder.com/FSMs/Nissan/Maxima/2007/

Gotta buy used, but even then it's hard to find these with step lips. You'll probably also have to get them refinished.

 

The culprit turned out to be a loose positive connector on the battery. Changed that out. No problems since. Thanks for the input!