Nissan Repair: 2001 Nissan Maxima, nissan maxima, auto repair shop

Question
Hey Calvin,
Weird problem, all lights are flickering(dash,dome,headlights etc) At the same time the car engine seems to be doing the same thing. It kind of pulls me a little when stopped. Battery? Alternator? Thanks for the help.

Answer
Hi David -

First of all, check the battery -

Need to take a voltage test, as well as a load test. You can take it to any auto repair shop for this, but a field way to generally check it is this - Get a volt meter and measure voltage of the battery without engine running. Should read 12 volts (no less). Turn the headlights on high beam, and the voltage should drop no more than 11 volts, If it drops way down suddenly, then your battery needs replacing. If it drops steadily, then perhaps a charge would be sufficient.

If the battery checks out, then the alternator is the next in line. If you rev the engine, and the lights get brighter, then it is probably the battery. Using a volt meter, mesaure the volts of the battery while the engine is running. Should read 14 volts. Again, turn the lights on, and the voltage should not drop. If it does, then your alternator will probably need replacing.

Hope this helps -
aloha
calvin