I'm not sure if this is an electrical issue or not, cuz i'm new to this car still....

just making sure this isn't a warning for something else?

the brake and battery light are coming on simultaniously.....buzzing in and out, staying on for a few minutes, then going out. it does not seem related to speed, turning, braking, or acceleration.

any clues?

 

i would say electrical....but you never know

 

in my dads saturn that meant low coolant, check the owners manual and it will tell you.

Dr.

 

You should have your alternator bench-tested.
On the 1st gen altimas, if the brake and battery lights come on, the alternator is dead/dying.

 

i have read in one other place that it vaguely refers to the alternator......it's been 24 hours since the problem, and the car is still starting......i'll be checking the alternator and belt

also, on another forum, a guy is having the same issue and seems to think it's a wire grounding out....yet another reasonable answer!!

i checked the original owners manual, and there is nothing that refers to both lights coming on at the same time

 

I would think its a electrical problem, grounds, crossed wires

 

on my 93 sentra , when i would get the brake and battery light that's when my alternator went out.
happened twice already

 

My 92 is doing the same thing. I put a voltmeter on the battery and started the car. It showed that there was no charge being put into my battery. You could just stand there and watch the volts drop.

 

So, what was the minimum voltage while the car was starting? What was the battery's voltage at rest? What was the voltage while the car was running at idle?

 

The thing wouldn't barely start under 11 volts. It held that voltage for a few minutes and then started to fall at idle. Then the car would die. Sitting, with a full battery would be 12.85 volts. Then a few starts and it was shot.

 

With no load, the battery should be at ~12.5 volts.
While cranking, the battery should not drop below 9.5 volts.
When the engine starts, the alternator should be active and the battery should be at 14-14.5 volts. If it's above or below that spec then the alternator is bad.

 

14-14.5? I wish
13.6- 13.8 on every car i've ever done.
12.6-12.8 normally.

He's right though, if it's below 13.6 while running then it's the alternator.

Dr.

 

heh, i sourced it to the cig lighter.....grounding out

 

Glad it was only the lighter. I have a pain in the a** job ahead of me taking out the alternator in 30 degree weather

 

oooooo....that's not fun (move to florida )