Nissan Altima shuts off and won't start, low batt voltage

Asked by GuruTPX5Q Jul 12, 2018 at 09:20 PM about the 2001 Nissan Altima

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I've got a 2001 Altima that shut off while driving.
Engine doesn't try to turn, just flickering dash lights
when you try to start it.

The battery is only about a year old, but it is a
factory 2nd. I just measured it after being parked a
while and got around 11.8v. I jumped it and
checked voltage again a few times while the car
was running. With no lights or anything turned on
and the engine running the battery slowly dropped
to 11.6v before I shut it off.

That's as far as I've gotten. Just before making this
post I read a out the trick of pulling off the neg
cable while the car is running to check the
alternator, so I can give that a go later. I've also
been told it could possibly be the cam sensor. Any
suggestions or troubleshooting I should try?
Thanks!

1 Answer
7,375

Brianator answered 5 years ago

Sounds like the alternator or battery leads to the battery or alternator are the issue. You actually shouldnt unhook the battery with the vehicle running as you can blow the diode(s) on the bridge rectifier whitin the alternator, instead remove it and take it into a local auto parts store that will do free electrical testing. Alot of old technology myths have leaked into the present in the form of removing battery from circut to test the GENERATOR (which wont be harmed like and alternator) and people saying you shouldn't leave a battery on concrete, old batteries had tubes and could discharge but new batteries wont. I know this but still leave batteries on a piece of wood instead. Lol

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