Electrical problem on J30? How to run SelfDiagnostics?

[robmcole]

Alright, here are the symptoms from the gauge cluster:1) Brake light lamp dimmly lit2) Headlamp/Tailight lamp dimmly lit3) Battery lamp brightly lit

I took it to AutoZone this weekend and the Alternator/Battery checked out ok.

I connected a voltmeter to the battery when running and the voltage regulator is consitant.

I am at a loss.... Anyone know where in the manual the instructions for running Self Diagnostics are? I know in most cars you can turn the key, and within 5 seconds push the break, dance around for 3 seconds, and sing the star spangel banner 3 times fast and the car will report error codes in the form of a blinking light of sorts.

Does the 1993 J30 have this?

p.s. the gauge lamps lighting are intermentent.

Worse comes to worse, I will take it to Infiniti and pay them to connect it to the computer and find out what is up, I was just hoping to do it myself and save some money.

Thanks to all!

-Rob Birmingham, AL.

[Q45tech]

The Nissan Consult doesn't do electrical diagnosis per se other than display the voltage the ecu sees from the system. The J30 self test doesn't include electrical system other than warning lights you see.

Alternator/battery testers vary in complexity and capability to report correctly.

Start over externally charge the battery and properly load test it, then look for light changes.........measure the alternator ripple [3 phase generator- common for 1 phase to fail].

Does battery read 12.5 VDC everything off then 13.6-14.0 VDC engine running?

[robmcole]

Well I do get a pulsing out of the cluster lights the more I drive.

Yes, I do get the proper voltage. 12.5-12.9 with engine off, 14.5 when engine on. RPM does not effect for than .2 volts

Is there a way to test the phase of the alternator?

[Q45tech]

With as phase down you get less capacity [amperes]. Voltage will show good till you exceed ampere capacity.

Just because a chain store test Good doesn't mean it [alternator] is Good.......the test equipment they use is non precision and certain problems may not show to the non trained operator.

Turn the AC on high , lights on bright turn on everything any changes in voltage, lights, etc. How old is battery?

You measure ripple [phase] by measuring the AC riding on the DC.....the battery tends to dampen out the peaks.http://buy1.snapon.com/product...id=57h ... /w....html

http://members.1stconnect.com/...r.htm

[HeavyDuty]

Mine did this as the alternator was dying on my way back from a short (20 mile) errand.

The dash looked like a Christmas tree, the battery was running the car, but it started freaking out before the car died.

If your alternator checks out ok & the battery is good, I would check my main battery cables for corrosion, and particularly the ground(s).

A bad ground can cause this stuff too.

[robmcole]

I will check out the grounding.

I just wonder how exact the tester at AutoZone was. My car drives fine, except for all lights/bulbs look they are going bright-dim-bright-dim-etc... depending on the rpm.

Since it is effected by RPM, that is why the Alternator a likely suspect to me.

I am tackling this project saturday morning, so I will keep all posted.

-Rob

[robmcole]

Update...

I got the alternator out, and they tested it at autozone. It is bad (out of phase as expected). That ripple that was discussed earlier seemed to get nastier and nastier.

Well, I will tell all that autozone does not have any 14475 Alternators in there company database. Order reciept is unknown, so they refunded all my money

Luckily Advance Auto Parts had 1 in their database. They are shipping it in, and should be here monday.

Thanks to all for the help!

-Rob

[HeavyDuty]

ACK! NO!

Rob, buddy, bite the bullet & order one from Infiniti. Q45Tech will be along shortly to tell you a horror story about an AdvancePepZone alternator that fried damn near every electronic unit in the car from an overvoltage situation.

Most shops won't even install that basura on customer cars because of all the potential headaches associated with them.

This isn't a 72 Impala you're driving. Nothing but OE alternators, starters, water pumps, etc, etc, etc, for me. Too many hard learned lessons in my youth.

[robmcole]

Do you happen to know the average price on a OEM alternator? I know that last August when my alternator went out, Infiniti wanted $1600 to install one, but I dunno how much of that was labor.

From my experience with refurb'ed alternator's, they only last about 8-10 months, then on with the next one. Lifetime warr. are the only redeeming factor, but the 2-3 hours labor it takes to swap does suck considerably.

I can see what you are saying, I am in the middle of buying a house so money is hard to come by (as it is for all of us )

Thanks, -Rob

[robmcole]

I did just see that Everything Nissan has 1 for $199. Is this OEM?

Any Warranty?

Thanks, -Rob

[HeavyDuty]

I did just see that Everything Nissan has 1 for $199. Is this OEM?

Any Warranty?

Thanks, -Rob

I don't have my receipts handy, but I know I paid more than that. I want to say it was more like $360 or something. There's a core charge, too.

Replacement is a PITA, but what isn't on this type of operation.

Is Everything Nissan JTesensky's place?

Good luck,