Driving my max today in the rain (NYC) would up going through a small puddle. (have done it many times before) this time however the car stalled - dead as a doorknob. Managed to pull over to the side, shut everything down and then tried to restart and what do you know - she kicked right back to life. Any ideas? I was thinking about replacing the ignition wires - maybe they are starting to go (moisture affecting them) but would like some other opinions before I start surgery.

btw this is the first time this has happen

thanx in advance

 

you just probably wet the alternator

 

Well doctor our cars dont have wires... we have direct ignition. Do you have a CAI?

 

Thanks for the info - no don't have a CAI yet.
Wife uses the car for commuting, once we get a second one then I can start having fun.

Had a Bronco before - ignition wires

 

Yea you could've wet the alternator or some type of wire... but as long as its running your okay. The reason I asked if you had a CAI is if god forbid you got water in there. I wouldnt worry about it though..

 

Follow up:

the car is acting a little wierd - I am having voltage drops! Every time I hit the brakes the radio and/or headlights dim for a second then come back on. Almost like the car is adjusting for the additional power drain. The most severe happening was turning on the headlights while driving kicked the overdrive off - I hit the button off on and everything reset.

Have been checking fuses but nothing blown so far!

Help!

 

Help please - off to autozone to see if any codes!
Checked the charging system and everything ok - short of tracing out the wiring harness and the grounds not sure what to check!

 

I had the same problem with my car last year when it rained. I thought that I had just wet the alternator but turns out the alternator was going bad. One day on my way to work it died on me in the middle of the street during rush hour traffic. It was so bad my hazard lights barely came on. Luckily I had my cell and was able to call ahead and let everyone know I was gonna be late. You could also have an open circuit somewhere that could be causing things to dim out. I had an open circuit in the driver's side window controls that would dim the headlights when i rolled the window up.

 

Actually I just changed the alternator about a month ago. I checked out the charging system and all the fuses - and everything is OK (it was nice out today in NYC so I had some fun with the Haynes manual and my multimeter). I think I will take it in to have the system traced out. I have a feeling that something burned out or is crossed - mechanically the car is driving fine but the accessories are acting funny. The open circuit sounds like it is most likely the answer but finding it is the problem.

Thanks for the suggestion.
Anyone else?

 

a bulb has fused itself into its socket and is making a HUGE draw when u brake (brake lights go on) or when u turn ur lights on (lights go on)
thats my guess
happened on the catera
prob a brake light

 

I'm having what may be a similar problem. I was stalling when trying to go again after a stop. After getting home I tried to see if I could figure ouw what was happeneing and when I'd stop my headlights would flicker, gauges would dim and then... stall. Happened at 3 lights in a row before I could get on side streets. Sad to see my baby stalled in the road... Been better lately but still has me worried.

 

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=360011

 

Ok, had the car checked out. After 2 hours of tracing out the system 2 problems/ shorts were found and that was besides the grounds. All of the grounds were cleaned and reconnected and 2 shorts were fixed 1 at the harness in the driver side door (electric window switches) corrosion from water (don't leave you window open in the rain) and the 2nd in the main engine harness.

Luckily all this only cost $80, not that I am complaining.

I don't remember when all the dash lights & head lights looked this bright so I know some other lingering issues were corrected as well.