Hi,
I have inherited a 2009 Nissan Maxima with 81,000 km. At 79,000 km the car could not be started and was taken to the dealer. They replaced the alternator and a new battery was installed. This car doesn't get driven much, so about one month later (500- 600 km) I noticed that while driving at normal city speeds, the battery and brake warning lights would come on just for a few seconds, then go off again. This did not happen before the alternator was replaced. I took it back to the dealer and they ran tests. The charging system came back fine. They test drove it twice, but didn't see the lights come on - that's what they told me at least and that may be true, it's intermittent. They re-checked the grounding and wiring and said it was fine. One of the more experienced mechanics recommended topping off the brake fluid, which they did. It seemed to work, and I didn't see the lights for the next few trips. However, 1,000 km later, these two warning lights flash sometimes - brake and battery while being driven. I would take it back to the dealer but they have gone out of business - yes a NISSAN dealer out of business. I am pretty handy with my home tools and can fix most things, but I got them to do the alternator because it's a long job requiring dropping the exhaust manifold. This one has me scratching my head. I've looked online, apparently other Nissans have this problem and it is repaired by fixing grounding, topping off battery fluid, or alternator replacement. I have a scan tool and there are no codes. Someone suggested that badly installed brake pads can drag on the disks causing a feedback loop which triggers this. The brake pads seem to be in pretty good shape, but they do squeak sometimes. Before I go ahead and replace the pads and disks.....do you have any idea what this could be?
Thank you,
RJones27
Do those lights ever come on or flash while your car is idling? If so, you can use a multimeter [they're inexpensive to buy if needed] and check the voltage while your MIL lights are flashing. Your owner's manual may and a service manual would for sure tell you what your car's proper charging rate is. For example, my 2004 350Z has a 14.1-14.7 voltage range. If your alternator [new or not] is putting out too little or too much voltage there's your problem. I recently replaced my original alternator and the new one was bad. It was putting out 15.1-16.1 volts and that caused exactly the same problem you're having.
Sounds like an elusive problem, but that kind of intermittent sounds like a grounding/connector problem. If it was mine to fix , I'd get some spray electrical cleaner and emery paper and start going through connectors, fuses and grounds. Intermittent problems are the hardest things to find and fix,
I wouldn’t do the pads and rotors if it doesn’t need them you could make sure the slides aren’t frozen or anything but don’t replace parts if they aren’t needed. Battery and brake lights on together are pretty designated to charging concerns you could very well have a faulty alternator which would be covered under a 12 month 12,000 mile warranty if it was replaced at the dealer and you could take it anywhere to have that done. You could first try cleaning the 3 grounds closest to the alternator 2 on the timing cover and 1 above the alternator. But honestly I think it’s an alternator issue with an intermittent charging concern
Could be a bit of glazing on the alternator brushes from sitting in storage for a long time. the glazing will go away on its own eventually. Thats what it sounds like and seen it before. but without checking it out for myself its hard to tell.
