Brake & Battery Lights On Means Imminent Failure

[zofsuvs]

As some members have had some alarming experiences because they were not aware of the meaning of the warning signal, please allow me to make this Public Service Announcement...

IF THE BRAKE AND BATTERY WARNING LIGHTS COME ON TOGETHER, THERE IS AN IMMINENT ALTERNATOR FAILURE WHICH WILL COMPLETELY DISABLE YOUR VEHICLE.

You may be able to drive several more miles, maybe not. Make plans accordingly. Limit the drain on your battery and get to a location from which the vehicle can be safely towed if necessary. Contact Nissan service immediately to have the alternator replaced.

See CopperKat's photo of the BRAKE and BATTERY/CHARGE lights on in his post below.

UPDATE 7/14/05:
The Nissan Murano alternators are being recalled. For more information, please see the recall thread at link.

[Gonzo]

Thanks for the heads up but as you metion this is posted numerous times on this searchable awesome sight....


No back to your regularly scheduled program.

[JMcDonald]

I would say the the illumination of both lights IS an indication of alternator failure - just a matter of how long the battery will carry you until it discharges... ...!

[zofsuvs]

Originally posted by Gonzo
Thanks for the heads up but as you metion this is posted numerous times on this searchable awesome sight....


No back to your regularly scheduled program.

Fair enough, but if you read through some of those posts (including one from a couple of days ago), you will see that some people still aren't aware of what those warning lights mean. And I'm guessing some don't realize what an alternator failure really entails.

I hoped that if a post with the warning signal in the title helped bring that to even one person's attention, it was worth a try. Too many close calls listed (people's vehicles dying in intersections, merging onto the highway, etc.). Figured it was worth a shot.

[zebelkhan]

Originally posted by zofsuvs
...you will see that some people still aren't aware of what those warning lights mean...

I am with zofsuvs, this failure is not just an inconvinience, but a safety hazard and the more people see and hear it talked about, the more they will be prepared for it when it happens to them.

[Gonzo]

Agree...

[Eric L.]

I just turned this into a sticky.

[+ -] battery

(BRAKE) brake

[zofsuvs]

Originally posted by Eric L.
I just turned this into a sticky.

[+ -] battery

(BRAKE) brake

Thanks Eric.

I guess the "Battery" light is technically the "Charge" light, but no need to make it any more confusing.

[Eric L.]

Originally posted by zofsuvs
Fair enough, but if you read through some of those posts (including one from a couple of days ago), you will see that some people still aren't aware of what those warning lights mean. And I'm guessing some don't realize what an alternator failure really entails.

I hoped that if a post with the warning signal in the title helped bring that to even one person's attention, it was worth a try. Too many close calls listed (people's vehicles dying in intersections, merging onto the highway, etc.). Figured it was worth a shot.

I second that. It surprised me as well with so many people saying their Muranos "suddenly died" on them, and then later admitting "well yeah the brake and battery light were on, but I IGNORED it." So I think this additional post is worth it to have. If anything, it might show up on a google and help those who are not members of the .org.

[SugarRushMurano]

while thye are on and post it under this topic....jumbo size!

[zofsuvs]

Originally posted by SugarRushMurano
while thye are on and post it under this topic....jumbo size!

Well, I'm not volunteering!!

[zofsuvs]

Originally posted by Eric L.


I second that. It surprised me as well with so many people saying their Muranos "suddenly died" on them, and then later admitting "well yeah the brake and battery light were on, but I IGNORED it." So I think this additional post is worth it to have. If anything, it might show up on a google and help those who are not members of the .org.

I'm as guilty of this as any, at least in a way. At the time, I was still hanging out exclusively at F.A., and had drifted away there as well. When my alternator failed, I checked back in at F.A. and found several other reports about alternator failures. Then checked here as well. Eric, I hadn't even realized you had created a poll on the topic before then.

Anyway, if I had been aware of the Brake + Battery light warning, I would have known full well not to attempt the drive home. I knew there was a problem of course, but being late at night I thought I'd try to make it home. Bad idea. Keep in mind, all is well until the moment the vehicle loses power.

Thanks Eric to you and all who have posted on this problem. Hopefully, this forum can make as many people as possible aware of the warning before something really bad happens.

[CopperKat]

Well, looks like I'll soon be a member of the faulty alternator club. My Murano is sitting in my garage, 25 miles away from the nearest dealer, and I've got this glaring at me . . .

[Eric L.]

A photo of horror indeed! If you have a battery charger, use it. You'll need a full battery to make it to the Nissan dealer.

[CopperKat]

I'm going to buy a charger tomorrow.