1998 Nissan Sentra Electrical Problem

RAFIKI07

MEMBER
1998 NISSAN SENTRA
250,000 MILES

GLE 1.6, Automatic Transmission. Battery(BAT) and brake(BRK) lights came on while driving. Installed new battery. Alternator(ALT) test results good but Voltage Regulator(VR) failed when Air Conditioner(AC) on. Installed new ALT but BAT and BRK lights came on again when AC on. New ALT failed VR test when AC on. Installed new Idler Pulley (bearings worn out). Found top part of Harmonic Balancer(HB) split a little bit. It is due for replacement. Car starts, drives with some clicking noise under Right side of hood but all indicator lights, horn, don't come on. Only the headlights can be turned on. Cannot roll down windows. All fuses, relays, connections to BAT and ALT are intact. Car has not been driven since then. Need to know the problem before replacing HB. By the way, the old ALT passed all aspects when tested on the bench.

4 Replies

HMAC300

MECHANIC
48,601 POSTS

I know you said all fuses are good, but check the two in the pics i'm sending, one is a circuit breaker for pw/door locks and a bunch of other stuff that can be bad, the Fuse g which is 75 amp and the other fuse I've pointed out goes to ignition switch. It could be an ignition switch problem as well or poor connections or bad ground to alternator. I'm taking it this has an internal regulator in alternator. Also check battery for condition as well as load test even if it's new.

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Friday, June 7th, 2013 AT 3:11 PM

HMAC300

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Forgot sorry, if brk light still is on have scanned to see if there is an abs problem

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Friday, June 7th, 2013 AT 3:12 PM

RAFIKI07

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2 POSTS

Thanks galore. Found Fusible Link G 75A blown off. Replaced it. All indicator lights come on and can now roll down windows. All other FL's and fuses look intact. However, I did not start the car lest I blow the FL again since I still don't know the exact cause(s). Inspection of connections seem intact. I have neither the means nor the expertise to test individual circuits to pinpoint the cause. What would be the next most cost-effective thing to do? Does the HB have any causative role in this problem?

Again thank you.

PS: The Voltage Regulator is internal.

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Saturday, June 22nd, 2013 AT 11:41 AM

HMAC300

MECHANIC
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If you have adraw disconnect positive battery cable and hook up a test light put one clip to battery and the other to the cable. Pull fuses one at a time to see which one is givin g you trouble. Then that circuit can be checked out.

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Saturday, June 22nd, 2013 AT 2:05 PM