1995 Nissan Sentra electrical short

DCOURTNEY2007

MEMBER
1995 NISSAN SENTRA
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
154,000 MILES

I have replaced the alternator, alternator belt, starter, 3 batteries, both battery cables and my batteries continue to go dead. The auto parts stores say since my car is a 1995 they can not do a code reader because it has to be a 1996 or newer. The auto parts stores just keep telling me that I have a short that is causing the batteries to go dead. I do know that it doesn't matter if the car is running or sitting in the driveway for 2 weeks it still goes dead. Before it goes dead the fans/blowers stop working, the airbag light starts flashing, the speedodomoter needle goes to ZERO even though I am going 40mph. CAN SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP ME?

1 Reply

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,815 POSTS

Hi dcourtney2007,

After 1 new battery you should start looking for other possible causes and you swapped 3, wow.

Did you check the alternator charging voltage? Both at alternator main mast and battery.

Your symptoms shows the alternator is not charging.

It should have nothing with any stored codes.

At the fuse box under dash you would find a 14 point diagnostic connector. Turn ignition switch on and bridge terminal 6 and 7 for 5 seconds. Pull out bridge wire and read blinking codes on check engine light.