Last week my starter died, so I had that replaced...but now, my max is acting funny. When I drive, every 10 minutes or so, their will be a brief dimming of power (lights, dash, clock...) and if my stereo is on, it will cut out. It lasts approximately 2 seconds everytime. I have a new yellow-top Optima battery, so I thought I should be fine...I'm confused, any ideas?

 

Check your connections. Something is dirty or lose. Make sure the gounds are good too.

 

I checked everything and it looked fine. SO I brought the car to the place that installed everything. After 2 hours they told me I needed a deep cell battery and a capacitor. I just stared at the dope behind the desk and told him I have a yellow top optima and 1 Farat Cap in my car. I'm not running all that much stuff. He said well I probably need more cap. I think he's crazy. Anyway, it's still cutting out...

 

what are you running???
I'd follow NJMAXSELTD's advice and re-check everything...TWICE!

Check the alternator!!! and the alternator ground wire!!!

FLO_BOY

 

After I get out of work I'm going to inspect everything again...I'm running 4 6" MB Quart and 2 10w3 JL Audio off of a 4x75w and a 2x200w Rockford Fosgate amps...

 

I'm at a loss right now...I checked everything twice all connections good, alternator ground is good. Ran a check on the battery while the car was on and it was charging so the alternator appeared to be good. I can rule out the audio because it happens when it's off. I was driving at night and the lights would go off and the car would want to stop, but 2 seconds later everything would comeback on...has this happened to anyone before???

 

Sounds like the alternator could be iffy. Some people claim an alternator either works or it goes out, but in one of my hondas, I had power-loss symptoms for a couple of days (stereo would crap out slowly until it shut off, couldn't roll the windows down, etc) before the alternator totally gave on me.

 

What should I expect to pay for an alternator? I just got burned on the starter I had to replace...

 

I had a very similar problem. My battery wasen't recharging properly (I have a red top) due to a corroded cable. I'm not sure if it was a grounding cable or what but it was damaged. I took it to Nissan and they fixed it. Now it works perfectly. My stereo would cut off to especially when I tapped the brake, lowered my windows, or flash my brights. This might be your problem. I feel your pain brother! Good luck.

 

You may want to take your intake off and check the ground for the Neg battery terminal under there if you havent. Also, take some sand paper and sand the paint off under the ground where it screws in so it contacts the bare metal. Or as others have said it could be the alternator.

Ian B

 

What did that run you? I just called a couple dealerships around here and they all want about $80 just to tell me what the problem is...

 

and that's IF they get the diagnosis right (which, they often don't).

FLO_BOY

 

Exactly, my cousin used to be a mechanic at Nissan, I gotta track him down first...

 

I agree it is probably your alternator. Check the belts on it and make sure they are tight also.

 

alt.

 

I paid $75 and the problem was corrected for free. I guess it was a 2 second job.

 

Turns out I had a corroded cable too. Looks like I paid for a new starter for nothing. I'm pretty ****ed. That was cash that could have went to mods...

 

yeah since you checked everything again and again it has to be the alternator. I had to replace mine 2 weeks ago because it completely died on me. I pick it up from the dealership and everything is good for a couple days and it dies again from the same symptoms (loss of power) it turns out that the guy at the shop had me take the car back after he put in a BAD ALTERNATOR! so I had them tow it back there to do it all over again, but now its fine. Anyway the alternaotr itself ran me $200 plus labor. The things you do for your car. (and if you have a girlfriend 90% of your paycheck is already burning a hole in your pocket)

 

My cousin tested the alternator and it was sending a good charge to the battery, so I doubt that there is a problem with it. After fixing the cable, I haven't had any problems yet. We'll see...

 

Now your battery is recharching properly (fully). You shouldn't have a problem. I haven't had one since they fixed my bad cable. Good luck.