Both my e-brake & battery lights are both on whiles driving. They flicker when I hit bumps and ocassionally turn off, indicating that maybe there is a loose connection somewhere? The thing is that the alternator was replaced about 10k KM ago by the previous owner. Anyone have any experience with this symptom?

Thanks

 

When my alternator went, those same lights were on too. Then when I replaced it they went out completely. You could check the cable connection to the alternator, that may be loose.

 

I've had a new alternator fail within a month so I wouldn't rule out the alternator...it can still fail prematurely. Get it checked and your battery as well.

Like you said though it could just be a loose connection. Only way to find out is get in there and start looking at the line. It can be as simple as a loose clamp on the post of your battery.

 

Gotta be a loose connection, means a bad install on the alternator. Regardless you need this checked out. Otherwise your bat will be dead shortly and since you do not have lifetime warranty on the alternator, means you may need to buy a new one. Then get to experience to install one, if you are a DIY'er.

Good luck.

 

Guys, when your alternators were failing, did the battery and e-brake warning lights turn on intermittently, or did they stay on 100%? I am thinking it’s a loose connection in the system (at least hoping so). I did a brief check, and couldn’t spot anything loose, and the battery cable’s seemed tight too. Ill give it a more thorough check tomorrow though.

 

The first time my alternator went the battery and brake warning lights were intermittent in the beginning. But they were not intermittent for very long, the prior day. I had seen the lights on my way home from work the previous day, then took my car on a road trip and the lights came up, then about 15 minutes later my car was dead and I was SOL on the road.

The second time both lights came up solid.

 

alternator round 2

 

Does anyone know what other year maxima's use the same alternator as the 00-01? 4th gens perhaps? Just asking because I may be looking at picking up a friend's alternator from his 4th gen.

Thanks

 

What's the status of your alt?

 

Anyone???

Well I checked the connections on the alternator, and everything seemed intact. I un-did the main 3 prong harness, cleaned it out with CRC cleaner, cleaned the battery terminals, put everything back together and it seemed to work. Voltage was ~14.7v with the car at idle, indicating the battery was being charged and raised a bit when i raised the engine rpms.

However, today the alternator warning lamps came back on, indicating a problem again. I checked voltage and this time the battery was down to 13v and dropping, indicating a faulty alternator. That said, there is either a bad connection somewhere else, or the alternator is fried

 

Check your ground next to the fuse box/battery. I had similar symptoms and also flickering lights, etc... The ground was barely touching the metal and screw.