possible electrical issue

[amanda1979]

I have a 1990 Nissan 240sx.When you start the car,the heater,radio,and wipers dont work.Once you get going down the road,about 10-15 seconds later,they all kick on.then at night,the interior dash lights flicker on and off and things quit working.I was told by a mechanic that it might be the alternator fuse.been trying to find one with no luck.

[Nanaimo]

Check the trigger wire on your alternator connector. I had the same problem and it turned out that the trigger wire was loose inside the connector so it only connected (thus starting the alternator) when I revved the engine (clutch in) to make the engine torque over and touch the contact.

If that turns out to be the case, it's like 5 minutes to fix, but it took my mechanic 3 batteries and 2 alternators to figure out that it was neither the alternator nor battery. Fortunately I only paid for 1 battery and 1 alternator, but the breakdowns all over town and towing ran me out of free BCAA tows.

[Nanaimo]

You can thank your very good battery for the fact that the lights flicker and go out at night but the engine keeps running. Mine would quit outright once the battery ran down (lights would dim/flicker, then speedometer would drop repeatedly, then engine would die).

[amanda1979]

Thanks for your reply...I'll have to have it checked..the alternator was put on diagnostics.....said it wasnt charging properly..could what you said still be the problem?

[Nanaimo]

Thanks for your reply...I'll have to have it checked..the alternator was put on diagnostics.....said it wasnt charging properly..could what you said still be the problem?

It could be the cause of the problem, if it was an in-car diagnostic. It should only take a few minutes to check.

[amanda1979]

k...ill check it...thanks sexy...send me a message