Nissan Repair: Computer brain or transmission?, dashboard lights, nissan altima

Question
I have a 2002 Nissan Altima 2.5S I just had my brakes and rotors replaced 2 weeks ago by the dealership, the recommended service was to have my timing chain replaced...however the brake job was very close to $2,000 and they did not say the timing chain problem was sdmething that needed to be fixed right away. I drove my car to and from work on Friday with no problem..then I did not drive Saturday because of snow...Sunday I drove the car fine ..and once again I did not drive Monday or Tuesday. Tuesday night I went to the car and started it, it started and idled fine while I was "warming up"...but when I put the car in reverse to back out of the spot the engine started making a "racing " noise...the best way I can describe it ...and some lights started popping up on the dashboard...battery, abs, airbag...sometimes they would go off and come back on. My foot was still on the brake, I was not moving, yet the engine still was "racing" in reverse and the lights on the dashboard were coming and going and the headlights were going from bright to dim, bright to dim constantly. I put the car in drive and the racing noise stopped some lights went off on the dashboard but some stayed on. I turned the car off and started again ...same situation...noise and flashing dashboard lights in reverse but not in drive. I turned the car off then and left it for the night...when I went back to it the next night the key fob "Bleeper" would not unlock the car...and when I pressed the lock button I only got the faintest sound of my horn trying to honk...when normally it gives one loud honk when I press the lock button. Any idea if this is the transmission, I cant imagine the tranny would affect the dashboard lights or the key fob. My father seems to think it may be the "brain" of the cars computer? You should also know that I had the engine replaced under warranty in Aug of 2007 and also that my old battery died and I just replaced it about a month ago. Thanks so much for any help you can give me.

Answer
Robert,

I would say you have a bad alternator or something on that belt.  That is, the sound seems like the belt was slipping or the alternator is going out.  I say this due to the lights on the dash doing strange things.  This could also cause the battery to have lost its charge.  Sounds like a dead batery as a result.  Also, I would never go to that dealer again for something like $1000 for brakes and then they want to install a timing chain on an engine that is a little over a year old.  You said the engine was replaced in 2007.  If the timing chain was defective they would be replacing it for free!  Now, back to the car.  Anyway, get the battery and take it and get it charged.  Look at the belts for signs of slipping or if one has broken...  Email me back with what you find.  Or, call AAA and have it towed to a different dealer.