[Zarinn24]

I recently noticed that my lights, interior and exterior pulse in rhyme with the idle of the engine. I like to think of it as an extra feature, but i am worried that LEO will not find it as entertaining.

I have replaced the battery (old) and the local shop said the alternator was good.

Thoughts please?

Thank you Zarinn24

 

[Pilgrim]

Yes, grab a digital multimeter (or buy one at Home Depot, nothing fancy is needed), set it to DC volts and check the voltage across the + and - battery terminals at two times:

1) Before starting the car. You should see around 12.5 volts. Anything under 12V means your battery either isn't getting charged or isn't holding the charge. Many cars won't even start if the battery is under 12V.

2) Right after starting the car. Right after starting, you should see the system running about 14.2 to 14.4 volts. After a few minutes that may drop to 14V or a hair less, as the Murano system is smart enough to drop the charging rate when the battery is at full charge.

Stay there for a few minutes and if the lights start to flicker, check the voltage while that's happening. If the voltage drops (likely) you have a charging system problem, probably either the alternator or the voltage regulator built into the alternator.

 

[deeman]

What Pilgrim said. Also, check and make sure the battery terminals are bolted on snug while you're reading the voltage. Look for possible loose or corroded cable ground, terminals, connectors, around the battery area too while you're at it. Good luck.

 

[Zarinn24]

@Pilgrim, and @deeman

Thanks for the suggestion. I will give it a try this weekend.

 

[Zarinn24]

So i bought a multimeter at Lowes yesterday and checked the voltage across the battery.
Turned off the voltage was 12-13V, when running it maintained about 14, bumped to 15 a couple times over the course of a min.

 

[srT4URBO]

If the battery checks out, I would go and have your alternator tested. That may be your issue. Pulsing lights are a good sign of a dying alternator.

 

[Jamesab]

I recently noticed that my lights, interior and exterior pulse in rhyme with the idle of the engine. I like to think of it as an extra feature, but i am worried that LEO will not find it as entertaining.

I have replaced the battery (old) and the local shop said the alternator was good.

Thoughts please?

Thank you Zarinn24

I’m having this same problem now I’ve changed the alternator and battery and it keeps doing it just wondering if you found a solution

 

[MuranoSL2003]

I’m having this same problem now I’ve changed the alternator and battery and it keeps doing it just wondering if you found a solution

I would try the items noted above...

How many miles?

Inspect the negative battery cable ground connection under the battery. If any corrosion is seen, replace the cable. Also check the ground connect at the CVT to be sure it looks good. At the very least, clean all these connections.

 

[sistermoon2500]

What brand xenons d2s do you use btw?

 

[Lalabaca]

I am also having the same problem just had the alternator replaced twice in a year have replaced the battery and my lights are still pulsating I'm wondering if anybody else has found the solution

 

[MuranoSL2003]

I am also having the same problem just had the alternator replaced twice in a year have replaced the battery and my lights are still pulsating I'm wondering if anybody else has found the solution

Rebuilt replacement alternators have a very bad track record for longevity... Use an OEM alternator for the best chance of success, but it will be quite bit more expensive. It may be worth paying more for the OEM alternator from the stories we have heard in this forum...

 

[PaulDay]

I am also having the same problem just had the alternator replaced twice in a year have replaced the battery and my lights are still pulsating I'm wondering if anybody else has found the solution

Be sure to check all ground connections of the negative battery cable and the front body wiring ground points.

Bad grounds in the charging system will quickly burnout a new alternator by causing excessive charging amps to overcome ground resistance from bad connections and corrosion at the same points.

Bad/corroded front body wiring ground points will cause issues with electrical systems, like pulsating lighting while at idle.

Good luck.

Have a good day.

 

[EasTNDad]

Could it possibly be a faulty fuel pump relay or powertrain control module?

 

[Dantell]

Be sure to check all ground connections of the negative battery cable and the front body wiring ground points.

Bad grounds in the charging system will quickly burnout a new alternator by causing excessive charging amps to overcome ground resistance from bad connections and corrosion at the same points.

Bad/corroded front body wiring ground points will cause issues with electrical systems, like pulsating lighting while at idle.

Good luck.

Have a good day.

Hi, this may be late but I thought I'd still post the answer. I have a 2009 murano. It began to have a pulsing idle, and all of the lights would flicker with the sound of the engine pulsing. All of the interior and exterior lights would flash, and if the ac was running you could hear the blower motor speed pulse with the flickering also.

I checked these posts. My problem was the negative battery cable. I had replaced the alternator twice. And the bad ground cable was probably causing the alternator strain.

In the post I saw someone said they needed to clean the ground connections. But this was not the case for me. When I replaced the cable both ground connections were good and clean. But if you look at the cable by the battery clamp end you'll see it's discolored with corrosion. So the cable gets corroded, then the resistance increases.

I replaced the negative cable,and I sanded down the spots where it connects to the frame just to be sure, bur they looked fine. With the new ground cable, the engine idle is stable, no more flashing lights.
Now autozone had a cable but I don't recommend an aftermarket one. Because my negative battery cable has black box around the wire, with a connector where a sensor cable connects to it. This is probably a current or amp meter.

If you get a cable with out it, you may be able to remove it from the old cable but it may not work right. That sensor is set to the characteristics of the cable. So an aftermarket may cost 20.00.
But I got an original nissan part for 75.00. It's worth it because the cable has the sensor on it already. So if your going to change the cable, you may as well get one with the sensor on it so you know it will work. Pull up this part number and you'll see my negative cable. 24080-1AA0A.

Now most places wanted 120.00 for this stupid cable but I found one on ebay for 75.00. And it a nissan oem, comes in nissan packaging with part number. You can see the sensor in this picture on ebay, it's on the lower right side in the picture.

Pardon Our Interruption...

This was a 2009 murano, but if your ground cable is corroded on other models I'm sure it may cause the same problem.

To change it on this car, remove the air intake, then remove the battery. Pull up the plastic tray under the battery. Then there was a metal tray, held in with 5 or so screws. Remove that plate, then you can see where the cable connects to the frame and engine.

 

[PaulDay]

Looking up the part on Hoffman's Murano ecom site, it has this little writeup alongside the part drawing:

• Connects battery to your electronics
• Vehicle cannot work without it
• Replace when damaged or worn

Your Nissan Battery Cable is a crucial part of your vehicle that powers your electronics system by connecting it to the battery. Without it, you can't start your vehicle or use electronics like the radio, lights, and accessory power. Similar to your battery, the Battery Cable naturally deteriorates as the years pass due to corrosion and wear. The cable generally lasts longer than your battery, however, and you can normally get years of use out of yours. If your Battery Cable stops working, a replacement is necessary. Generally, a Battery Cable can't be repaired.

Battery Cable problems are frequently mistaken for a dead battery. Symptoms of a broken Battery Cable include an engine that is slow to start or won't start at all, battery corrosion, and lack of power. When examining your Battery Cable, you might not find fraying or tearing.

A good way to determine if your problem is with the battery itself or the cable is by attempting to jumpstart your Nissan. If the jumpstart is successful, you probably just have a dead battery. If the jumpstart fails, the issue is likely with your Nissan Battery Cable. With the right tools, swapping out the Battery Cable can be done at home, but you also have the option to take your vehicle to an authorized service center to have the cable replaced by certified technicians.

If your Battery Cable isn't working correctly, your Nissan won't operate. Ordering genuine Nissan parts helps make sure you get the right product.

This Battery Cable will fit Nissan Murano 2009-2014. View more fitment details in the What This Fits Tab.

CABLE ASSY-BATTERY EARTH

Fits Murano

This is the only part that I've looked up that has actual help and suggestions, even going so far as to state that swapping out the cable can be done at home. Never thought I'd see something like this on Nissan's parts web site.

I guess stranger things have happened.

Have a good day.