Nissan Repair: 1997 Nissan XE truck, pep boys, lifetime warranty

Question
QUESTION: I have a 1997 Nissan XE truck, five speed with approximately 93,000 miles.  Last Saturday it died on me coming home. The fusible link going from the battery cable to the battery was burnt.  I got another one from Nissan, and again tonight the new one is burnt. I replaced the battery and alternator prior to all this a year ago this last summer.  Since then, the truck has died on me a few times. Within 20 minutes it would start up. The only difference when replacing the battery,  the battery clamp that was replaced was not brass as the other one was bad.

ANSWER: Barbara,

Sounds like the voltage regulator in the alternator has gone out and you are overcharging the battery.  As a result the fuse link blows to protect the system.  I would test the output of the alternator to verify before replacement of the alternator.  Rebuilt alternators are a hit and miss affair since they only replace the parts that are defective.  So, you get an alternator and think everything inside is new and it is not.  I know a new or rebuilt alternator from Nissan is quite expensive but I have had excellent luck with them.  Pep Boys is good for alternators too and they have a lifetime warranty.  I have tried others with less than good luck...

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QUESTION: Since the fusible link burnt twice going to the battery, it was found the problem was with the wiring harness. It had a short. The alternator was also replaced, but now since I am home tonight, the air bag light keeps blinking.(97xe truck)

Answer
Barbara,

The flashing airbag light means that the computer checking the airbag circuit has found a problem.  I would check the airbag fuse to make sure it was not blown first.  If the fuse is good and no one has messed with the airbag harness, under the dash, I would take it to a body shop or the dealer and get the airbag code read.  I say this since the body control module for the airbag is nothing more than a vechicle based local area network.  On cars they call it a controller area network where the airbags report in to the computer when you start the vehicle.  If the computer senses a failure it sets the light to flashing.  So, check the fuse first and if it is good get it checked because the computer has sensed a problem with the airbag system.