I HATE intermittent problems and this one is no exception. We have a '04 Altima which just started an intermittent problem with the vehicle 'dying'. Wife states it would normally do it when either sitting at a traffic light or slowing for a stop. Doesn't normally do it when driving at a steady speed. Was assuming a fuel problem.
I've been test driving the car all day today, it is definately electrical in nature. Every once in awhile, when slowing or stopping, everything electrical just shuts down! Tachometer, gauges, AC blower motor, radio. Sometimes for just a couple of seconds. Once, it lasted about 10 seconds (engine dies after about 2-3 seconds of no electrical pwr). Twice, I tried restarting after having turned the ignition completely off. When I put the key in and turned it to 'on', it was dead. After leaving the key in the 'on' position about 20-30 seconds, everything powered up by itself. No recent repairs of any type.
Any input is appreciated!
You did say, "Any Input", right?
I had this problem with a 1992 Pontaic Bonneville.
Customer brought it in, and after days of diagnosing it drove me crazy. Turned out to be the wiring harness that goes from the camshaft sensor, and crankshaft sensor to the coil pack, had breaks in the wiring.
Everything checked out with a multimeter. All sensors, and related hardware checked out. Seems this wiring harness is doomed to fail after time goes by, because of the location. It's behind the water pump on this V6, 3.8 Liter transverse engine.
NO, I didn't replace it with a GM part! I made my own, and KNOW it will last now!
Such a JOY to get to! I put myself to sleep at night thinking about how much Fun(?) that was!
Something to remember. Thanks for the update!
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Ok guys, gotta give a quick update.
One theory I've been tossing around was that the car possibly had a plate in the battery going bad. I'm thinking that the alternator would provide slightly higher voltage while accelerating but voltage would drop slightly when foot off the gas. The electrical issue only occurs when either slowing or stopped and foot was off the accelerator.
It is about a 16 month old Carquest battery, took it to a Carquest store. They did a load test and, sure enough, it failed the test. No hassles with the exchange. Has been about 7 days and hasn't failed yet! Not to say that it won't but that is where we are at today.
Mark
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