Nissan Repair: 1995 nissan maxima, ceramic brake pads, nissan maxima

Question
I just bought my brother's 1995 nissan maxima from him it has about 164,000 miles on it but brand new transmission. The car was not stalling, but it took a while to start, so I noticed there where a few fuses missing and put nes fuses in. The car started fine after that but then a few hours later it started giving me problems again. It always started after I held the keys back for a little while. The low beams also don't work. Is the problem most likely that the fuses aren't the right size? My brother also told me he had ceramic brake pads installed and that's the reason they squeak a little, could this be correct?  

Answer
Mimi,

The ceramic brakes are for low dust and do not work well to stop the car and they make noise.  I would get a set of factory pads and replace them.  Second, the low beams are probably the headlight switch since the car is a 1995.  I would get a new headlight switch at rockauto.com and install it.  The long start problem and the associated fuse problem is probably not related.  I would get a Haynes Manual at your local parts store and put in the correct rated fuses for safety.  The only thing a fuse is going to do is blow at the appropriate time to protect the circuit.  If you put a greater value fuse in it will let that circuit overload.  On the long start issue I would be looking at a leaky injector flooding the engine.  Have your fuel pressure checked.  Really the last thing is to get a tune up changing the spark plugs, wires, cap and rotor as a minimum.  Also, the fuel filter, air filter and PCV.