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Alternator not charging?

Tiny
ROBIN BAKER
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA
  • 3.5L
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • 240,000 MILES
My car has brake light and battery light on. I have replaced the battery and alternator. But, it will not accelerate when in gear. But, it will idle. Any suggestions?
Thursday, October 12th, 2017 AT 11:38 AM

12 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,794 POSTS
Does the alternator charge the system?

Here is a guide to do a quick check so we can continue:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-alternator

Also, check out this guide for the no power:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-has-low-power-output

Please run this test and get back to us so we can keep helping you.

Cheers, Ken
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Friday, October 13th, 2017 AT 10:22 AM
Tiny
RODBELLSR
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 1997 NISSAN MAXIMA
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 200,000 MILES
For about the last two weeks, my headlights, windshield wipers and door locks have not been operating at full strength. Some time the lights shine bright, others times they don't. Well, tonight, the car completely did while I was driving and I was wondering what could have caused it? The radio went off first, then the dash started blinking then nothing worked. Is the alternator bad? Is it the battery? Starter? Please help
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Thursday, March 11th, 2021 AT 11:27 AM (Merged)
Tiny
OBXAUTOMEDIC
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,711 POSTS
Hello,

It sounds like the Alternator. But, lets make sure.

Do you have a multi meter? If so you can test the alternators charging ability. Check out the link below...

https://www.2carpros.com/how_to/how_to_test_alternator.htm

Of course you will probably need to recharge your battery or jump start the vehicle in order to test.

.
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Thursday, March 11th, 2021 AT 11:27 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RODBELLSR
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Thanks! I took the car over to Pep Boys to have them test the alternator and they told me that my battery is bad. Now the thing is only 2 months old, could they be wrong or should I just get a new battery and see hw it goes?

Thanks!
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Thursday, March 11th, 2021 AT 11:27 AM (Merged)
Tiny
OBXAUTOMEDIC
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,711 POSTS
They use a good machine to test with. What did they say about the alternator. It could be both. Even thought the battery is only a couple months old, if the alternator went bad could kill a battery even if it was new.

.
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Thursday, March 11th, 2021 AT 11:27 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RODBELLSR
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
They said the alternator was in good shape/ I replaced the battery and so far so good, but I just fear that this thing will stop again on me. They told me to bring it back so they can retest with a strong battery. I will do so in a couple of days.
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Thursday, March 11th, 2021 AT 11:27 AM (Merged)
Tiny
LISA JACOBS REIGH
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1995 NISSAN MAXIMA
  • 3.0L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 180,000 MILES
I was driving on the highway, I had air conditioner running which I never used before, upon entering bay tunnel I turned the headlights on and the battery light came on. I was able to continue driving 60 miles with air conditioner and lights turned off. Car finally shut off while sitting in traffic jam. We fully charged three different batteries and had to switch batteries three times to get the car home. Car will start with jump box but shuts off when jump box is removed now. Replace the alternator and ran fine the first time it was started in the driveway, the miss in the engine in idle was even gone. Shut the car off and started it again, headlights shined overly bright and smoke coming from under the hood. Found that the replacement alternator was on fire! Quickly extinguished the fire with water since that was all that was available. What could be causing this? Could it be a short in the wiring harness? Or bad replacement alternator? I find the situation strange since the battery light did not appear until first time using the ac and turning lights on at the same time. Please help, this is my only transportation...
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Thursday, March 11th, 2021 AT 11:27 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,938 POSTS
The fire will probably be the result of a dead short to earth, the alternator will have to be replaced, but I would get a mechanic to do this as they will also have to test the system to find the cause of the short. If precautions are not taken you will fry the main loom and this will be very expensive to repair, as is stands now you may already have wiring damage that needs to be located first.
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Thursday, March 11th, 2021 AT 11:27 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WILLIE 93
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1993 NISSAN MAXIMA
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 154,678 MILES
Alternator not charging replace with a new one from nissan work for one week replace battery sears diehard 93 nissan maxima sohc 3.0 battery light in dash does not work when I switch car on please some help paid out over $900.00 so farnow mechanic say it need computer
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Thursday, March 11th, 2021 AT 11:27 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Check and test fuse 21 and 7 in fuse block and check for battery voltage on the white at back off alternator and should power on the green and white on the alternator-
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Thursday, March 11th, 2021 AT 11:27 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WILLIE 93
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Fuses are good has fire at white wire on back of alt green&white wire has low voltage on it test lite is very dim
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Thursday, March 11th, 2021 AT 11:27 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Bring it in and have it load tested
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Thursday, March 11th, 2021 AT 11:27 AM (Merged)

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