Electrical System Warning Light

[gyaffe]

My 1993 Maxima GXE 3.0L Automatic failed to start the other day in my garage. I got a boost from AAA and drove it to a nearby repair shop. They replaced my alternator.

The electrical system warning light had never come on while I was driving. It did glow during the bulb test at startup.

The repair shop couldn't explain why I had no warning light. A week later, when I took it in to Nissan for regular service, the service rep told me it doesn't warn for an alternator problem. This seems odd to me and leaves me feeling that if there should be another problem I wouldn't know about until I stalled again. Perhaps in a less convenient place.

Is the dealer rep correct that the light doesn't come on when the alternator fails ? If it should have lit, what should I do now ?

Thanks,

[MinisterofDOOM]

The alternator absolutely DOES come on for alternator problems.I have plenty of experience with this myself.

Usually you get a "pulsating" light that fades away under throttle (higher RPMs means more alternator output) and comes back when stopped or under low throttle.

[gyaffe]

This makes more sense. I don't know what the warning light would be for if not for a failing alternator or a bad battery.

I must have a faulty warning system. Next time I'm at the dealer, I'll ask them to have the mechanic check it. In the meantime, I'll just have to hope the repair shop did the right job.

Thanks for the help.