Altima Brake Lights
Paul Dixon
lights for about three years. Things now seem to be getting worse so I would
appreciate some assitance if anyone knows about this part of the Altima.
Intermittently, the brake lights have stopped working. At the same time, the
interlock with gear lever fails, so it cannot be taken out of park.
Also during this period, there seems to be a drain on the battery such that it
must be disconnected when going on vacation or it will be flat on return.
I have checked the switch, and don't believe that is the problem. The interlock
with the gear lever is such that it allows it to be taken out of park only if
the engine is running, so there must be some form of controller there, though I
can find out nothing useful from the local Nissan dealer.
Just recently, the fault is becoming more persistent and the battery is now
discharging in a couple of days.
Does anyone have a wiring diagram for this area of the vehicle. Or do they know
if this function is part of a larger controller, or just in a device for this
one function. Also, does anyone know where on the vehicle this controller is
located.
Regards, Paul Dixon
master of none
Why not buy the manual for this car? If you keep running down your
battery, your altenator may go next. Cheaper in the long run to get
the book (one with schematics) and a cheap ohm/voltage meter and
you'll find the problem soon enough, as well as the many others that
will inevitably crop up. At very least you'll be more knowlegeable
when you turn up looking hopeful at a shop.
E. Meyer
af6e14fb.04081...@posting.google.com, "Paul Dixon"
<rpd_...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> I have a 95 Altima GLE and have had a intermittent problem with the brake
> lights for about three years. Things now seem to be getting worse so I would
> appreciate some assitance if anyone knows about this part of the Altima.
> Intermittently, the brake lights have stopped working. At the same time, the
> interlock with gear lever fails, so it cannot be taken out of park.
The switch on the brake pedal controls both of these things. If you have
checked that the switch itself is adjusted properly and works, then look to
the wiring coming off of it.
> Also during this period, there seems to be a drain on the battery such that it
> must be disconnected when going on vacation or it will be flat on return.
> I have checked the switch, and don't believe that is the problem. The
> interlock
> with the gear lever is such that it allows it to be taken out of park only if
> the engine is running, so there must be some form of controller there, though
> I
> can find out nothing useful from the local Nissan dealer.
There is a solenoid at the base of the shift lever that is engaged by the
signal coming from the brake pedal and inhibited by a moving cable coming
from the ignition switch. You either have a bad ignition interlock (bad
switch), binding cable, bad solenoid, bad brake pedal switch (that would be
my first choice, given the brake light issue), or the whole thing down under
the shifter is shorted out and gunked up from spilled drinks.
> Just recently, the fault is becoming more persistent and the battery is now
> discharging in a couple of days.
> Does anyone have a wiring diagram for this area of the vehicle. Or do they
> know
> if this function is part of a larger controller, or just in a device for this
> one function. Also, does anyone know where on the vehicle this controller is
> located.
There is no larger controller. A battery drain hints at a wire that is
slightly shorted (moisture, small break in the insulation, corroded
connection, etc). With your other symptoms, look for it around the brake
lights, the brake pedal, and/or in the well at the base of the shifter.
>
> Regards, Paul Dixon
Edmechanic
I remember Hondas couldn't be taken out of park if the key not on
and brake not stepped on. A brake switch that is open would explain
both your non working brake lights and inability to shift out of park.
For the battery discharge problem I would disconnect negative battery
cable from battery and put a test light between negative battery cable
and negative battery terminal the bulb should be lighted if something
drawing too much current. Normal drain is under 50 milliamps very dim
bulb) Have someone pull all fuses one at a time. Pull each fuse and
replace it before going on to next fuse. When bulb dims you've found
circuit that the draw comes from. Also try removing alternator wires
and starter wires if none of fuses cause bulb to dim.