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?

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 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.>

Good Luck!>

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.>

--> Message posted via http://www.carkb.co­m

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!