Nissan Repair: Nissan Maxima repair, 2004 nissan maxima, nissan maxima

Question
HI, I HAVE A 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA.  LAST WEEK THE LIGHTS ON MY DASH GREW VERY BRIGHT, BUT I DIDN'T THINK MUCH ABOUT IT.  NOW THE LIGHTS ON MY CD PLAYER CONTROLS, MY GEAR SHIFT LIGHT AND MY BRAKE LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING.  MY HUSBAND FOUND A BURNED OUT FUSE AND REPLACED IT, BUT THAT DIDN'T HELP.  WE TOOK IT TO AUTO ADVANCE AND THEY CHECKED THE OTHER FUSES AND SAID THEY ARE WORKING.  DO YOU THINK THE SURGE MIGHT HAVE BURNED OUT THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND THE LIGHT FOR MY CD PLAYER AND GEAR SHIFT?  MY HUSBAND WASN'T ABLE TO REMOVE THE TAIL LIGHT PANEL TO CHECK THE TAIL LIGHT BULB.  IS THERE A SPECIAL WAY TO REMOVE IT?  WILL IT BE HARD TO REPLACE THE BULB THAT LIGHTS THE GEAR SHIFT AND CD CONTROLS?  I REALLY HATE TO KNOW HOW MUCH A DEALER WILL CHARGE TO REPLACE THOSE.  THANKS FOR ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE.  MY BRAKE LIGHTS WORK, JUST MY TAIL LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING.  THANKS,  DONNA

Answer
Donna,

Radio Shack is the place to match up the bulbs.  Your manual should list the bulbs and ratings for each.  If not, you can get the information from the Nissan dealer and then match them up at Radio Shack.  About a quarter of the price for bulbs.  You would freak to pay ten bucks for two little bulbs.  I have not done the brake bulbs on your particular car.  But, on my Maxima you just remove the inner trim panel and access the bulbs from inside the trunk.  I would check to make sure the instrument light dimmer is working properly.  But, that would not account for the brake bulbs going out.  If you have an aftermarket amplifier and the ground is defective it will blow bulbs all over the car since it backfeeds way too much current through the vehicle.  I would make sure you have a good ground cable if this is the case and it is grounded well.  Email me back and let me know.