2001 I30 Dash warnings lights up & car dies on freeway!

[Inf I30 owner]

Twice in the last two months while going over 65 mph the dash warning lights on my 2001 Infiniti I30 have started flashing, (the battery, then brake, then ABS, then the airbag started flashing) the second time was at night and the headlights went off so I pulled over and the car died and would not restart, just a clicking noise. The car was able to be jumped but then acted up again, then was only able to be jumped sporatically. Both times I towed it to the dealer but the next day when they came in it started right up, no lights and no codes are shown. The last dealer I took it to drove it 180 miles over the week trying to duplicate the problem but nothing shows up. Now I'm afraid to drive the car (LA Ca. traffic!). I could sell but would feel guilty dumping this problem on someone else. I have seen this exact problem on several websites and they have changed the battery (which I did after the first time) and changed the alternator and the cap but it did not fix the problem. PLEASE HELP

[Nahkapohjola]

First invest to 10$ multimeter. Then buy cig plug and attach your multimeter, check reading while u drive, keep it on. When all is ok, your reading will be around 14.2V. If/when reading drops under 13V, you have one hour to go (sw lights fan etc off).

Possibly you now have burned connectors which intermittently loose contact. Service manual doesnt mention such issues and service garages havent got troubleshhootin skills beyond flashin err msgs.

Check & study for reference this & page 5 http://www.cardomain.com/ride/748507/23

[slideways...]

sounds just like an alternator problem. probably a voltage regulator. when you do that voltmeter test, rev your engine. the volts should not change. if they do, bad alternator.

14.2 is in the middle, anywhere from 13.5 to 15.5 is ok charging voltage.

[BP2K2Max]

^that's what i would say too. i had the same prob in my 95 maxima and it was the voltage regulator. after a little driving all the lights would start to dim and then the car would die out cuz it was running off just the battery.

[Nahkapohjola]

Originally Posted by slideways...

...bad alternator.

14.2 is in the middle, anywhere from 13.5 to 15.5 is ok charging voltage.

- After alt swap its not likely but of course possible. The multimeter can also be bad, trblshooyin starts to become interesting when two multimeters fail...
- At 14.8V battery is already boiling, lifetime max 12mths. Regulator (inside alt) is shot if voltage rises over 14.7V

[slideways...]

wtf battery boils at 14.8? ive never seen one...

[Nahkapohjola]

One day youll see a std lead acid batt acid-wet on top, then take a reading...

This is why FSM's are precise on this issue: max for Maxima is 14.7V; dont trust me but take an edu peek via given link(s)...

[slideways...]

wtf? i have no idea what your talking about. lead acid batt acid-wet on top? that makes no sense. my only guess is your talking about a wet cell car battery that leaks acid? in that case itll boil if its leaking acid, but if it boils, you should replace it anyways because itll blow up with just your alternator charging it...
all car batteries should be able to handle 15.5 volts without self destructing.

[Nahkapohjola]

Noblow, just 'boiling over'. Someday youll see. As said, read Factory manuals...

[Inf I30 owner]

Thanks for the suggestions. I will print them up & give them to my husband, I'll let you know if it works. Service Mgr. at the dealership was of the opinion it was the alternator but couldn't get a bad reading so he won't replace it until he/I can prove it's bad otherwise it's not covered and it's $600 to me. I'm driving it again but I keep one eye on the dashboard the whole time!

Thanks again for the help