ok, well there is a whining noise coming from under the hood, it is audible from inside the car while driving. About 20 miles after the noise began, both the brake light and the battery light came on. I have no clue why the brake light came on, the parking break is not on, and the light gets just a bit brighter when I do put the parking break on. I have not been through the diagnstics that the hayned manual says to yet, but will soon.

I think the alternator may still be putting out some power, because I drove 45 minutes home with my headlights on, after the battery and brake light came on, and by the time I got home, the headlights were still bright and the car was running ok. But if the alternator was still putting out power, why would the battery and brake light be on?

What do you smart people out there think is wrong? Could there be a shortage causing the alternator to whine, and the battery light come on, but the car to still run ok?

There is also the mystery of the brake light - why oh why does that light come on?

 

if i am correct in my assumptions, if it was an alternator problem, i think you would have problems starting up the car too. maybe im wrong though...

 

Possibly unrelated to the alternator. Check your brake fluid level.

 

Best way to verify, dis-connect the ALT and AC belt and run the engine. If the sound is gone, it's the ALT. It could also possibly be the AC or idler pulley, but those possibilities are very un-likely.

DW

 

It's the alternator. I had the same noise, this whining noise (almost like a supercharger) which increases in pitch and magnitude when you rev the engine. Noise started, then a day later the car died.

If your charge light is on, it is almost certain to be an alternator problem. I had my car towed to the dealer and the alternator was replaced under warranty. If you are out of warranty, it is a $450 part and around two hours labor.

 

$450 ?!?!?!?!?!?!?

um....It damn well better not cost that much. I will be replacing it myself.

I got a remanufactured alternator for my truck for ~$90. I could not imagine one costing more than $150.

I will have to call up town north nissan and see what the price on one is tomorrow.

 

Yep, me too.

Alternator. Nice high pitched whine, correct?

Coming from the Passenger side of the car.

My car still started when it went also. I was able to get it to a dealership 20 miles away.

IanS

 

if its a high pitched whine, couldnt it also be the belts?

 

Mine whined when it went out...plus after running the car for about 5 minutes and then shutting it off I could smell something burning. I paid about $190 to have it repaired.

 

the belts are ok, I looked at them, and they are all turning properly.

what i'm the most curious about is the brake light coming on....i was hopeing that someone who really knows their stuff (David B, where are you?) would know what that means.

How about a factory service manual anyone?

 

Most likely its your alternator. I just replaced mine yesterday. Cost me about 150 total for all the parts and tools (since i had none). I did it myself. Great learning experience. My car whined for about 4 months before i was forced to replace it. And beleive me you should replace it as soon as you can. Cuz you dont want your car to just die on you one day and leave you stranded. Luckly when my alternator gave out i was parked in a parking lot. If you notice your whinning noise sounding oddly different and louder when starting up ur car.. .that should alert you that your alternator is pretty much dead and you're running on your battery. Thats what happen to me.

 

My alternator made the familiar (to most 4th gen owners) whining noise before it annoyed me enough (plus didn't want to get stranded somewhere) that I replaced it at 59k. Except for the whining, the only other symptom was that my clock very gradually lost time.

FYI: the local Nissan dealer asks $279 for a new Max. alternator.

 

My god. My Max did the exact same thing at the exact same milage.

Do you have an aftermarket stereo? THat's what I figured did it to mine...too much draw.

Luckily, I bought an extended warranty, and it only costs $50 for me

 

FOR THE BRAKE LIGHT PROBLEM

Do as instructed above, my break light was on when my break fluid was low. Add some brake fluid and check to see if light goes away.

 

Mine ahs the same problem, it's the alternator bearing or voltage regulator.Has been running for a month will have to change it soon!!

 

If you want to re-build your own alternator, where do you get the parts?

DW

 

I have just the stock Bose system.

My alternator whined for about 3 months before I gave in and replaced it.

Since this is my fourth Nissan you think I would have jumped at an extended warranty.

 

ok, went to the dealer and got an alternator for ~$214 (AFTER I return the old one)

of course, that was with the maxima.org discount from good old Dave Burnette. He seemed like a cool guy.

I will see about the brake light after I replace the alternator, hopefully it will go out....