2001 help with battery and brake light

[mrL]

I have a 2001 maxima that wife drives and the last 2 days when we go to start it up it starts right up but, the brake light and battery light on the dash come one. if u turn off key and about 30 seconds later try again it goes off or sometimes takes a bit then goes off. What can be causeing this"?

[Ghost_54]

I would suggest to have the battery tested, as it sounds like the battery is weak of first start up until the alternator can supple some additional juice to it ... as the winter weather is starting to set in it would make sense to have the complete charging system check.

[loystock]

Most likely the alternator is failing. The alternator is supposed to charge the battery after engine start but cannot seem to do so. If you have a DVM, check the battery voltage before and after engine start. A good battery should have 12.6 VDC or higher. After engine start, the charging voltage on the battery should be 13.8VDC or higher. (spec is 14.1-14.7VDC). If battery voltage remains the same or lower after the engine start, the alternator is bad. Please check the wiring to/from the alternator and look for a possibility of short circuit or loose connections. Ditto to the battery cables and connectors. Since the brake light is also on, check the brake fluid level and top off as needed.

[timay]

What these guys said. Sounds like the alternator.

I had a problem where brake and battery light would come on randomly after I had been driving for about 20 minutes. I would make it go out by getting on the throttle harder, I made the alternator last another 6-8 months doing that. Wouldn't recommend doing that though.