Our maxima has had four batteries replaced in the last 2 years. Dealership has asked us to have it towed each time so they can check the computer for problems. Each time they state the battery has a bad cell and that the alternator and starter test ok. What could be causing a bad cell in a battery about every 6 months?
Our maxima has had four batteries replaced in the last 2 years. Dealership> has asked us to have it towed each time so they can check the computer for> problems. Each time they state the battery has a bad cell and that the> alternator and starter test ok. What could be causing a bad cell in a> battery about every 6 months?
What does the people who sold you the last three batteries have to say?
J hopson via CarKB.com 21 April 2005 02:05:00 [ permanent link ]
Vehicle was purchased on March 29, 2002. The first occurrance was at 11,488 miles on 07/08/03. We jump started and took to dealership. They couldn't find anything wrong. Told us to have vehicle towed if happened again.
The second occurrance was on 08/19/03 at 11,567. Vehicle was towed and the original battery was said to have a faulty cell and was replaced.
The third occurrance was on 05/03/04 and 17,673 miles. We charged battery and took to dealership. Again, they could find nothing wrong.
The 4th occurrance was on 05/27/04 and 21,488 miles. At this time we expressed our concern about a possible alternator problem. We were told by the service advisor that based on the intermittent nature of the problem they would test the car all day and they would contact the manufacturer as well. Again, they could find nothing wrong and they did not test the car all day or contact the manufacturer as we had been promised. When we picked up the car we asked to have alternator bench tested but they declined. We offered to pay for a bench test of the alternator and if found faulty they would replace under warranty. This was declined, stating they could not do that because they couldn’t find anything wrong. At this time we expressed our concern as to the warranty expiration and wanted resolution.
The 5th occurrance was on 11/02/04 and 22,558 miles. Vehicle was towed and the Hill Nissan again found faulty cell in battery. Said it was rare to have back to back battery problems but could happen.
The 6th occurrance was on 4/19/05 and 23,298 miles. Vehicle was towed and again the dealership found a shorted cell in the battery and replaced the battery. This is the 4th battery. Seems if we jump start it they can find nothing wrong. When it is towed they find a faulty cell in the battery.
Vehicle was purchased on March 29, 2002. The first occurrance was at> 11,488 miles on 07/08/03. We jump started and took to dealership. They> couldn't find anything wrong. Told us to have vehicle towed if happened> again.>
The second occurrance was on 08/19/03 at 11,567. Vehicle was towed and the> original battery was said to have a faulty cell and was replaced.>
The third occurrance was on 05/03/04 and 17,673 miles. We charged battery> and took to dealership. Again, they could find nothing wrong.>
The 4th occurrance was on 05/27/04 and 21,488 miles. At this time we> expressed our concern about a possible alternator problem. We were told by> the service advisor that based on the intermittent nature of the problem> they would test the car all day and they would contact the manufacturer as> well. Again, they could find nothing wrong and they did not test the car> all day or contact the manufacturer as we had been promised. When we> picked up the car we asked to have alternator bench tested but they> declined. We offered to pay for a bench test of the alternator and if> found faulty they would replace under warranty. This was declined, stating> they could not do that because they couldnВ’t find anything wrong. At this> time we expressed our concern as to the warranty expiration and wanted> resolution.>
The 5th occurrance was on 11/02/04 and 22,558 miles. Vehicle was towed and> the Hill Nissan again found faulty cell in battery. Said it was rare to> have back to back battery problems but could happen.>
The 6th occurrance was on 4/19/05 and 23,298 miles. Vehicle was towed and> again the dealership found a shorted cell in the battery and replaced the> battery. This is the 4th battery. Seems if we jump start it they can> find nothing wrong. When it is towed they find a faulty cell in the> battery.
If it were my Auto. I would have someone other then that dealer check the Alt. and the full charging system. Something is causing the battery failures and your dealer could care less.
You most definitely have an issue with your electrical system as the odds of having so many batteries fail in such a short time are astronomical indeed. The dealer is clearly not interested in spending the time and effort necessary in order to diagnose and fix a pesky intermittent problem.
If it were me I wouldn't wait around for the next failure before I took action. I suggest getting the attention of a Nissan area rep and making her/him thoroughly familiar with the history of the problem. Same goes for the service manager. Then, when the next battery fails, and it most certainly will, you will be in a better position to have SOME kind of action taken. If at this point all you can get is another replacement battery it would be time to involve the Bureau of Automotive Repair, if there is such an entity in your state.
Intermittent problems can be extremely difficult to diagnose and sometimes the only thing to do is to take a shot gun approach and start swapping out parts that are likely to cause the problem. After being patient enough to allow the dealer to swap four batteries it is time to start playing hard ball. If you don't, they will be happy to swap out batteries and send you on your way (and out of their hair) until your warranty expires. I think it would quite reasonable to expect that your alternator and/or voltage regulator (perhaps they are one in the same) be replaced when the next battery goes.
What is your driving pattern? Frequent short distance driving? Weekend driving? Listening to car audio with the engine off for long period of time? Battery normally last for about 2 years in my driving experience. I drove 60+ km to and from my working place everyday. But an undercharge battery may not last long the same. Of course there may still be a problem with other electrical system.
<feynmanfan88@yahoo.com> ??? news:1114038794.206372.184270@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com ???...> You most definitely have an issue with your electrical system as the> odds of having so many batteries fail in such a short time are> astronomical indeed. The dealer is clearly not interested in spending> the time and effort necessary in order to diagnose and fix a pesky> intermittent problem.>
If it were me I wouldn't wait around for the next failure before I took> action. I suggest getting the attention of a Nissan area rep and> making her/him thoroughly familiar with the history of the problem.> Same goes for the service manager. Then, when the next battery fails,> and it most certainly will, you will be in a better position to have> SOME kind of action taken. If at this point all you can get is another> replacement battery it would be time to involve the Bureau of> Automotive Repair, if there is such an entity in your state.>
Intermittent problems can be extremely difficult to diagnose and> sometimes the only thing to do is to take a shot gun approach and start> swapping out parts that are likely to cause the problem. After being> patient enough to allow the dealer to swap four batteries it is time to> start playing hard ball. If you don't, they will be happy to swap out> batteries and send you on your way (and out of their hair) until your> warranty expires. I think it would quite reasonable to expect that> your alternator and/or voltage regulator (perhaps they are one in the> same) be replaced when the next battery goes.>
J hopson via CarKB.com 21 April 2005 18:44:15 [ permanent link ]
Thank you for your kindness. We had asked for a test of the alternator after the fourth occurrance. We had the service advisor and the mechanic who always works on it in a group and we really complained. We even offered to take the car to another provider and pay for the bench test. If it came out bad they would pay under warranty. They refused.
We let it go on. This last failure occurred two weeks after the mfg. warranty expiration. The tow and the battery and labor were now covered under the battery warranty Do you think we are just wasting time if we ask for a Area Rep at this point?
We do not have an automotive bureau in our state. I feel that nissan, thru their dealership, was fairly put on notice during the warranty period that there is a undiagnosed problem with this vehicle. I've also heard that dealerships have access to funds for problem customers. Do you have any advice as to how to proceed? I will fight and file a written complaint wherever and to whoever, if it will help, but really don't know where to start, if I even stand a chance without the warranty, or if I should just accept it and put a new alternator in it at my expense.
Thank you for your kindness.> We had asked for a test of the alternator after the fourth occurrance. We> had the service advisor and the mechanic who always works on it in a group> and we really complained. We even offered to take the car to another> provider and pay for the bench test. If it came out bad they would pay> under warranty. They refused.>
We let it go on. This last failure occurred two weeks after the mfg.> warranty expiration. The tow and the battery and labor were now covered> under the battery warranty Do you think we are just wasting time if we ask> for a Area Rep at this point?>
We do not have an automotive bureau in our state. I feel that nissan, thru> their dealership, was fairly put on notice during the warranty period that> there is a undiagnosed problem with this vehicle. I've also heard that> dealerships have access to funds for problem customers. Do you have any> advice as to how to proceed? I will fight and file a written complaint> wherever and to whoever, if it will help, but really don't know where to> start, if I even stand a chance without the warranty, or if I should just> accept it and put a new alternator in it at my expense.>
Well I bought a new 89 Nissan Maxima se it was a fairly good auto.just problems with each and every power window regulators and a faulty power relay feeding the main system computer. I also bought a new 98 Maxima se and it's my feeling that the 98 and 99 year was the last year Nissan really had quality because of Nissan being taken over by the another large Company and their leader causing many changes with the Nissan parts supply chain. Just like what happened to Ford GM and Chrysler. Hold the suppliers hands to the fire for lower prices and you get poor quality also. About two years ago Nissan sent me a card telling me to bring my 98 in for a replacment alternator mine had never had a problem but I let them replace it. In 2003 I traded off the 89 Maxima for a Kia Sorento I had had enough of dealing with Nissan. I still feel my 98 is a quality Nissan but I won't be buying any new Nissan's. Myself I would find someone else to fix my Maxima and never deal with your Nissan service Dept. again.
Oh, so the warranty has expired! Now we are talking about a horse of a different color!!!
I'm no swami, but here is my prediction for your future:
Sometime in the next couple months your battery will die and you will once again tow your car into the dealer.
Later that day you will get a call from the service manager who informs you that, after running a complete diagnostic on you electrical system, they discovered a faulty diode in your alternator that apparently kicked too much voltage into the charge system thereby overtaxing your voltage regulator which, in turn, caused the battery to receive a voltage spike which resulted in the shorting out of cell #3. The service manager then informs you that the cost of replacing the alternator and voltage regulator including parts and labor will be $873.56. Moreover, even though the battery is technically still under warranty, the warranty was voided by the over-voltage situation. Because he is a nice guy and you are a valuable customer he agrees to waive the labor and charge you $178.83 to cover the cost of the battery itself.
You then protest the charge and press to have the repair covered by warranty due to the fact that this is the 5th time such a battery failure has occurred during the past year.
The service manager explains that they ran the same diagnostics each of the previous times and the alternator and voltage regulator where fine.
You then claim that because the problem was intermittent, it is not surprising that they didn't discover it before.
Unimpressed by your impeccable logic the service manager then tries to put you on the defense by asking you if you have a tendency to rev the engine as this is the likely cause of such a diode failure.
Finally, after hearing you vent for a while he says, "Well, I don't normally do this, but since you have been through such a difficult time, I'll go ahead and throw in a free 115-point inspection".
Later that day you get a call from the service manager who says, "Your alternator and voltage regulator have been replaced, however the 115-point inspection revealed that your linkage is loose and your right-rear brake caliper is leaking. Also, I see that you are due for a radiator and brake fluid flush." . . .
. . . At this point my vision of your future starts to get blurry and all I can hear is the giant sucking sound of your savings account being drained. . .
********
Seriously, if you have the stomach to fight (and I hope that you do) I would suggest going over the service managers head and documenting your case with Nissan via an area rep before the next failure occurs. I think that you have a very strong case, but it is going to be an uphill struggle. Finally, remember the old adage that it is the squeaky wheel that gets the grease!
Good luck and keep us all posted as the saga unfolds!
Oh, so the warranty has expired! Now we are talking about a horse of a> different color!!!>
I'm no swami, but here is my prediction for your future:>
Sometime in the next couple months your battery will die and you will> once again tow your car into the dealer.>
Later that day you will get a call from the service manager who informs> you that, after running a complete diagnostic on you electrical system,> they discovered a faulty diode in your alternator that apparently> kicked too much voltage into the charge system thereby overtaxing your> voltage regulator which, in turn, caused the battery to receive a> voltage spike which resulted in the shorting out of cell #3. The> service manager then informs you that the cost of replacing the> alternator and voltage regulator including parts and labor will be> $873.56. Moreover, even though the battery is technically still under> warranty, the warranty was voided by the over-voltage situation.> Because he is a nice guy and you are a valuable customer he agrees to> waive the labor and charge you $178.83 to cover the cost of the battery> itself.>
You then protest the charge and press to have the repair covered by> warranty due to the fact that this is the 5th time such a battery> failure has occurred during the past year.>
The service manager explains that they ran the same diagnostics each of> the previous times and the alternator and voltage regulator where fine.>
You then claim that because the problem was intermittent, it is not> surprising that they didn't discover it before.>
Unimpressed by your impeccable logic the service manager then tries to> put you on the defense by asking you if you have a tendency to rev the> engine as this is the likely cause of such a diode failure.>
Finally, after hearing you vent for a while he says, "Well, I don't> normally do this, but since you have been through such a difficult> time, I'll go ahead and throw in a free 115-point inspection".>
Later that day you get a call from the service manager who says,> "Your alternator and voltage regulator have been replaced, however> the 115-point inspection revealed that your linkage is loose and your> right-rear brake caliper is leaking. Also, I see that you are due for> a radiator and brake fluid flush." . . .>
. . . At this point my vision of your future starts to get blurry and> all I can hear is the giant sucking sound of your savings account being> drained. . .>
********>
Seriously, if you have the stomach to fight (and I hope that you do) I> would suggest going over the service managers head and documenting your> case with Nissan via an area rep before the next failure occurs. I> think that you have a very strong case, but it is going to be an uphill> struggle. Finally, remember the old adage that it is the squeaky wheel> that gets the grease!>
Good luck and keep us all posted as the saga unfolds!
I agree 100% that will happen. If they are smart and by now they should understand help is not to be had at that Nissan dealer and should find someone to get their Maxima fixed. When it came time to get a replacment for our old 89 Maxima we picked a Kia Sorento. I still have a very trusted 98 Maxima but feel after year 99 they Nissan have become just money grubbing company just like Ford GM and Chrysler in providing poor quality autos and trucks and poor and dishonest service at their the dealers.
"thewordwacker" <thewordwackerspam-not@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:4267F44E.B8059FD@hotmail.com...> someone to get their Maxima fixed. When it came time to get a replacment> for our old 89 Maxima we picked a Kia Sorento. I still have a very trusted> 98 Maxima but feel after year 99 they Nissan have become just money> grubbing company just like Ford GM and Chrysler in providing poor quality> autos and trucks and poor and dishonest service at their the dealers.>
So you bought a Kia? Did you mistake it for the Toyota dealer?
J hopson via CarKB.com 2 May 2005 16:59:19 [ permanent link ]
Wrote certified letters to dealership and all corp. officers. The car went back to dealership for two days last week. They said they called nissan and were told they knew of four occurances such as ours. One had a faulty seat heater, the other something in the radio, and the other a abs thing. Anyway they checked that all out and of course it came out fine. Told us to call Nissan and make a claim. Wish they would have told us this last year after the third battery. So we have a claim in and a regional rep. is suppose to contact us today.
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