Help needed diagnosing electrical problems in my '95 Maxima GLE

[agmetal]

Early last year, my car was having problems with the battery being drained. As a result, I had my battery replaced (under warranty) after an alternator replacement didn't solve the problem.

Over the last few months or so, I've noticed that occasionally, my headlights will dim slightly, along with the backlight LEDs for the gauges and other stuff on the dash. Last Monday night, I had the car idling with the map light on, and it kept pulsing...going dim and then back up, with a few seconds between. The next day, I noticed some weirdness where, when I would stop at an intersection, and then slightly release the brake, the car would jump a little bit.

I didn't drive the day after that, but the following day, I went to my car and put the key in to start it up. It took unusually long to start (20+ seconds of holding the key in the Start position), then only ran briefly before shuddering, and stalling before I could move. I was able to start up again more quickly when I tried again, and pulled out of my parking spot right away, but was only able to get 50-75 feet before it shuddered and stalled again. I started it once more and parked again, then gave up.

I checked the battery the next day...it's only reading at just over 12V, and now it won't start at all. I checked the ECU for codes and got nothing. It was suggested that I check to make sure the MAF sensor was plugged in...it is, but I don't understand how that would have been the cause of my problem, since that doesn't explain the dimming lights, right?

[jltibbs]

The dimming of lights and whatnot can be explained by a loss of revolutions during idle or driving. This could be caused by the MAF if it is dirty. If it intermittently goes in and out due to being dirty, it could cause shudder, low RPM's, stalling, etc.

Sounds a little like the IACV may also be the culprit in what you described. Is your CEL on?

[agmetal]

What is the IACV? My CEL is not on.

[NutriaforBreakfast]

Just a guess here

Try cleaning your ground wires-start with the battery

[Blazingwolf]

if ur getting just over 12v with the car not running and anywhere between 13.5 and 14.7 with it running the alternator and battery are not the problem

IACV is the Idle Air Control Valve

[agmetal]

I'll try getting a jump start later today, and test the battery while it's running...if it'll run long enough to test.

[agmetal]

I went outside and tested the battery, it was down to 4.86V. My housemate tried to give me a jump start. We were reading about 13.8V from his alternator, and also found that my battery apparently won't hold a charge. When we'd try to start my car, the engine would turn over a few times, but just refuse to start.

[Blazingwolf]

how do ur battery terminals look? check the wires going to and from ur battery back 1 inch and see if they look a blueish purplish color. if so then u also need new terminals and to cut and inch of wire off

batteries do die. i see it all the time at my dealership

[agmetal]

Interesting...battery has held a charge of approx. 11.4V for about two days now (I haven't had a chance to take it in for replacement yet). So, I guess something in the car is draining it. Any ideas as to what? Could that be related to my other issues?

[agmetal]

It seems that my problem isn't as electrical in nature as I'd thought. I took it to my usual shop yesterday, and we managed to get the car started with a battery charger, and it would run for a minute or so, as long as that was connected...but then stall like before. Just got the call this morning, apparently there's no fuel pressure, so the fuel pressure gauge, pump, and filter, are being replaced. The battery drain is believed to be caused by a bad battery terminal, so that's gonna be checked also.

[Blazingwolf]

keep me updated. i had not thought of the fuel pump. that is an unusual part to go out on a maxima. good luck!

[agmetal]

keep me updated. i had not thought of the fuel pump. that is an unusual part to go out on a maxima. good luck!

New fuel pump, fuel pump strainer, and filter. Also, he fixed the connection on one of the battery terminals that appeared to be the cause of the drain. Everything seems good so far.

[Blazingwolf]

SWEET!! good luck. i bad terminal can be a terrible drain on a battery. i replaced one on my altima before i got a maxima. it drained my battery every week and i had one of those 900 amp batteries for my stereo. just for safety. check ur voltage when ur car is off in a couple days and see if it is closer to 12 than 11.4 it should be 12.4 on a """perfect""" battery for ur car.

[agmetal]

check ur voltage when ur car is off in a couple days and see if it is closer to 12 than 11.4 it should be 12.4 on a """perfect""" battery for ur car.

That's exactly what I was planning to do.