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Car Forum / Nissan / Nissan Maxima / July 20062001 Nissan Maxima dashboard dash light shows brake and battery symbols??
2001 Nissan Maxima dashboard dash light shows the word brake and a battery symbol?? Went away on trip. Left car at airport. Car's battery was replaced from Batteries Plus+ about 2 years ago. Car runs fine and I stop and shut off car. After I turn car on, I notice the "brake" text appearing on dash (instrument panel) and a picture of a battery. I shut off and turn on car. Symbols still there. I tighten hand brake and loosen-still got brake light. Soon car dies. Had to get car jumped. Made it very slowly (guess it has electric fuel pump) to an auto store about to close. I got a new battery and put it in. Indicator lights above (brake and battery icon) still on dash. Car seems fine but I wonder IF: 1. Computer stored settings and they have not cleared the battery and brake symbols/light on dash. Should I unplug battery and leave off overnight to clear computer? 2. Perhaps I have a bad alternator. (I have no volt meter to test-willing to bring it in to repair place, but would like some advice first). Ideas? I have no clue about the brake light. Had brakes done about 8 months ago. Thank you Patty And then my question is how much will a new alternator cost with labor and can I trust a non-Nissan shop to do this or best I let Nissan do it (had bad experiences b4 with others doing the brakes since they did not use Nissan brake pads)? Thanks, Patty > 2001 Nissan Maxima dashboard dash light shows the word brake and a > battery symbol?? [quoted text clipped - 33 lines] > Thank you > Patty Did you make sure your brake fluid level is OK? Low fluid will also turn on both lights. You should consider a Nissan rebuilt alternator as many of the cheap rebuilts don't last very long. > And then my question is how much will a new alternator cost with labor > and can I trust a non-Nissan shop to do this or best I let Nissan do it [quoted text clipped - 40 lines] >> Thank you >> Patty > 2001 Nissan Maxima dashboard dash light shows the word brake and a > battery symbol?? This is a classic alternator going bad problem. To verify, just hook up a voltmeter to the battery terminals with the engine running, and you'll probably get 12 volts or less. A good alternator will generate a charging voltage of 13.5 to 14 volts. Thats the reason the battery lite comes on. The brake warning lite also comes on because of the low voltage on the brake sensor. This happened to my 2K Max, and a new battery at least got me home without having to have it towed. BTW, I installed an AutoZone alternator a year ago and it still worked fine. Thanks. Now after the car sitting idle for about 5 hours, the brake and the battery lights do not come on. So not sure what to think at this point. I could of course buy a voltmeter and hook it up and look for the charging voltage. Guess you cannot unhook the battery after cranking and check voltage since you will lose the negative ground probably. Ideas on the above and also that light is not appearing now????? Should I wait for it to appear again? Brake fluid is fine. Thanks, Patty > > 2001 Nissan Maxima dashboard dash light shows the word brake and a > > battery symbol?? [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > battery at least got me home without having to have it towed. BTW, I > installed an AutoZone alternator a year ago and it still worked fine. > Thanks. Now after the car sitting idle for about 5 hours, the brake and > the battery lights do not come on. So not sure what to think at this > point. Normal when the alternator is dying. > Should I wait for it to appear again? I wouldn't. I also wouldn't use anything other than a nissan reman but if you enjoy replacing alternators, the parts store ones are cheaper..  SignatureSteve http://www.atlantaracing.com - dont disconnect batt while engine running, possibly fries some electronic - charge voltage is seen on batt while idling. Nissan FSM says 13.8-14.7V is ok. - (14.8V is already boiling battery... - 10$ gauge investment is a must. (remember the cheap dmm's may be unreliable - the copper dust worn from alt/brushes (plus all dirt) 'fills' the alt inside 'after 60k'. This may form 'bridges' enhancing alt charge/discharge /rectifier diode etc -characteristics. Remedy: open, clean, swap 5$brushe The alt is structurally almost like this; see http://www.cardomain.com/ride/748507/2 http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/4/web/748000-748999/748507_488.jp -- Wiikinki www.cardomain.com/ride/748507/ - dont disconnect batt while engine running, possibly fries some electronic - charge voltage is seen on batt while idling. Nissan FSM says 13.8-14.7V is ok. - (14.8V is already boiling battery... - 10$ gauge investment is a must. (remember the cheap dmm's may be unreliable - the copper dust worn from alt/brushes (plus all dirt) 'fills' the alt inside 'after 60k'. This may form 'bridges' enhancing alt charge/discharge /rectifier diode etc -characteristics. Remedy: open, clean, swap 5$brushe The alt is structurally almost like this; see http://www.cardomain.com/ride/748507/2 Pics: Alt rectifier diode and dirt accumulation.. http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/4/web/748000-748999/748507_488.jpght tp://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/4/web/748000-748999/748507_487.jp -- Wiikinki www.cardomain.com/ride/748507/ I had the same problem...same lights.... The alternator was bad. What is happening is the alternator is not fully charging the battery, and the voltage being sensed in the ABS is low, so the brake light comes on as well. Replaced the alternator, and the problem went away. Good luck. Z > 2001 Nissan Maxima dashboard dash light shows the word brake and a > battery symbol?? [quoted text clipped - 33 lines] > Thank you > Patty Replace the alternator and all will be fine. Be sure to use an OEM part or.............. Anyone care to fill in the blank? > 2001 Nissan Maxima dashboard dash light shows the word brake and a > battery symbol?? [quoted text clipped - 33 lines] > Thank you > Patty NISSTECH-Should I wait until light comes on again since things seem to be working okay for the last 2 days? Thanks, Patty > Replace the alternator and all will be fine. > [quoted text clipped - 39 lines] > > Thank you > > Patty If one rectifier diode is blown [or dust shorting it], the alt may well be pushing half rectified AC into system. No good for batt. Only way to make sure is with an oscilloscope as dmm always shows something when measured in AC-scale Connectors: If u follow via the 'Favorite Links' youll find all detail info + alt assembly pics.... Go peek under the vehicle, pass side after taking splash shields out: there are the supply connectors I suggested cleanin the alt - dirt cheap:) no harm done -- Wiikinki www.cardomain.com/ride/748507/ |
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