If you’ve recently noticed that the brake and battery lights are on in your Nissan Altima, Murano, Maxima, or Rogue, don’t worry. This article will help you understand the cause and fix of this common problem.
What Does it mean when a Nissan Brake and Battery Light Comes on?
This a common issue I have encountered with Nissan cars in my workshop.
The brake and battery lights mean that your Nissan’s charging system is failing, caused by a faulty alternator.
This happens when the alternator is either overcharging or undercharging, which can lead to more serious issues down the line if not fixed.
What Causes a Brake and Battery Light to Come on a Nissan?
The cause can be due to a faulty alternator, which is the case for most Nissan cars. The alternator charges your battery and also supplies power to other electrical components such as the lights and radio.
If the alternator fails, it won’t be able to keep up with demand and may overcharge or undercharge batteries.
What is an Alternator, and How Does it Work?
Now that I have explained what causes the brake and battery light on your Nissan, I’ll take a moment to explain what an alternator is and How it works.
An alternator is an electric generator that charges the battery and supplies power to many electrical components in your Nissan.
A typical alternator consists of an external rotor and an internal stator, which are connected by a shaft. As the rotor turns, it generates electricity by using magnetic induction. This is essentially how it works.
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What Causes a Nissan Alternator to Fail?
A couple of things can cause an alternator to fail; here are the most common causes:
1. Wear and Tear:
Your Nissan alternator is a mechanical part that requires a lot of use and can wear out over time. If your vehicle is older than 5 years, it’s likely that you will need to replace your alternator at some point.
2. Alernator Belt Tight:
If your Nissan alternator belt is too tight, it can cause the alternator to fail. Alternators are designed to run at a specific speed, and if they are too tight they will not work properly.
3. Jump Starting Incorrectly:
If you jump-start your Nissan with another vehicle and do not use the correct equipment, it can damage your alternator.
Tip: To avoid damaging your vehicle’s electrical system, use only jumper cables rated for at least 500 amps and use them properly.
4. External Accessories
Other external accessories can cause damage, too. If you have an aftermarket stereo or alarm system installed in your Nissan, it may require additional power from the alternator than what is provided by the original equipment.
How to Reset the Nissan Brake and Battery Light
To reset the brake and battery light on your Nissan, you will need to have the alternator replaced. You can also have the battery replaced, but this is not necessary. A new alternator will be required to reset this light, as it means that your old one has failed.
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After Changing the alternator, I recommend that you check the voltage with a voltmeter.
If it is not above 14 volts, then you need to change the battery as well (Given a new alternator was installed).
When you reset the light after replacing the alternator, be sure that you have driven for at least 20-40 minutes, as this will allow enough time for your battery to charge and power up your electrical systems.
I recommend that you take your car to the nearest Nissan dealer or a qualified mechanic to have the alternator replaced and tested to ensure that your battery and alternator are in good working order. If you have any questions, please comment below.
Additional Sources:
https://es.nissanusa.com/content/dam/Nissan/us/pdf/19-nvcargo-accessories/american-power-systems.pdf
https://www.firestonecompleteautocare.com/blog/maintenance/what-does-an-alternator-do/
https://www.nissandelray.com/service/service-tips-tricks/what-does-an-alternator-do/