2002 pathfinder: reset warning lights?

[varnco]

So, my daughter drove her 2002 pathfinder, and as she got into the garage, and as she turned if off, all the warning lights came on, and the car died.
she comes back out to the garage in a few, and it's full of smoke.

The battery was dead (looks like short on all 6 cells, no color bubbles float in one of those battery testers).

I installed a new battery, and viola, it starts right up, horn, lights, radio, shifts, took it around block, brake lights, etc. work.

The normal setup routine happens.. check Airbag, seatbelt, oil, etc... and they go off in a few minutes. However, the battery, AT/Temp Sensor and the Brake light won't go off... they stay on.

I checked ECU for codes, and it had p1612, but the truck started up just fine.
I unhooked the battery for about 1 hours, and hooked back up, but the 3 dummy lights just stay on.

Thoughts?

[kayinsun]

I noticed those exact three lights staying on in my 2001 QX4 the other day. Turned the truck off and on again and they were gone. I'll have to look into the service manual for a diagnostic procedure or something.

[Hawairish]

That combo indicates a charging failure. Bad battery may mean your alternator toasted it. I'd look into that pretty quickly.

[varnco]

Bad alternator? That's possible, as its the original one. I will see if that's it.

[Hawairish]

It's what happened to my buddy's truck (02 R50) couple months ago. Alternator failed on him, same symptoms.

[varnco]

So, I've spent 3 hours trying to get the altnerator out, and I'm getting close except for 2 things:

1. The connector that is plugged into the alternator... how the heck does that come out without breaking it?



2. There appears to be a plastic tube full of wires that is strapped to the back of the alternator. How the hell do I get this thing off?

Keep in mind, #2 is preventing me from moving the alternator... maybe 1 inch of movement, and there's no room for hands and vision.