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2005 Altima Electrical Issues

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Discussion starter · #21 ·
The reason I'm hesitant to blame poor contact terminals or a loose connection at one of the components is because they all stopped working at the same time. One day everything's fine, the next everything goes wonky. That's too coincidental for all of these things to merely start malfunctioning. Not that this is coming from a mind that knows cars at all, but scientific method drives me to believe that there's a single point of failure that's causing all of these seemingly unrelated functions.
 
#22 ·
Yes, you could be 100% correct in your assumption. We're just offering possibilities and I'm sure thru' process and elimination you will find the solution at some point but until you or someone else comes up with the definitive answer you will still have to eliminate some of those possibilities. I know it's a PITA but I can also tell you're determined to lick the problem :cool:
 
Discussion starter · #23 ·
I really do appreciate the help. I hate to take this to the dealer, but I feel like unless someone knows what would be effecting all of those things and how to test/fix it, the dealer's the only one that will know how to fix it immediately. They have all the wiring diagrams, etc. It's stressing me out, though, because I know how expensive it's going to be, even if it's a simple fix.
 
#24 ·
rickatnight11 said:
I really do appreciate the help. I hate to take this to the dealer, but I feel like unless someone knows what would be effecting all of those things and how to test/fix it, the dealer's the only one that will know how to fix it immediately. They have all the wiring diagrams, etc. It's stressing me out, though, because I know how expensive it's going to be, even if it's a simple fix.
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Try NickAltima's suggestion with a new battery. See if you can get a jump and while still connected to the other car test some of the stuff that is not working like high beam and wiper just to rule out the battery issue.
 
Discussion starter · #25 ·
The battery is actually fine. It wasn't dead after all. When we went to check out the car last week, it started right up. I drove it back, and mechanically it ran fine. It's just those electrical things that still aren't working. I can still walk out, start it up, and drive it around. It doesn't need a jump.

I believe the headlights work when the light sensor perceives that it's dark, but I can't make them go on with the switch. Neither turn signals nor high beams work from the switch either.
 
Discussion starter · #27 ·
Same here, except the wiper switch also has this problem, as does the tachometer. (Actually I lied, there's one thing on the wiper switch that does work: the wiper fluid pump.) So what would effect all of these things?
 
#28 ·
rickatnight11 said:
Same here, except the wiper switch also has this problem, as does the tachometer. (Actually I lied, there's one thing on the wiper switch that does work: the wiper fluid pump.) So what would effect all of these things?
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You said the wiper switch and headlight switch is integrated so it's possible that some of the prongs are not making contact properly. The pump could be a different terminal on the same switch. The only thing I'm not sure of is the tach but that could be a separate issue even tho' it happened at the same time. You said the tach works sometimes, did you happen to test either the lights or the wiper when the tach was working?
 
Discussion starter · #29 ·
Faja said:
You said the wiper switch and headlight switch is integrated so it's possible that some of the prongs are not making contact properly. The pump could be a different terminal on the same switch. The only thing I'm not sure of is the tach but that could be a separate issue even tho' it happened at the same time. You said the tach works sometimes, did you happen to test either the lights or the wiper when the tach was working?
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I didn't say that. The headlight switch is on the left side of the steering column. It handles turning the headlights off/auto/on and the high-beams on or off.

The wiper switch is on the right side of the steering column. It handles the wiper blade speeds by pulling it up to the roof or down to the floor (and setting the interval by rotating it.) It also handles the wiper fluid pump by pulling the stick towards me. That wiper fluid function is the only one that does anything.

Tachometer is obviously up in the instrument cluster.
 
#30 ·
Well, seeing that all your problems (except for the tach) seem to be tied to one common place (the steering column), maybe you can check the switches, both of them and/or the harnesses they are attached to.
 
Discussion starter · #31 ·
That makes sense. I have the plastic cover off of the steering column (needed to to get the instrument cluster out.) I checked all of the connections, and everything seems tight and secure. What do you think my best option is for troubleshooting it?
 
#32 ·
rickatnight11 said:
That makes sense. I have the plastic cover off of the steering column (needed to to get the instrument cluster out.) I checked all of the connections, and everything seems tight and secure. What do you think my best option is for troubleshooting it?
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Just disconnect the harness, look at the wires/terminals on both ends, see if everything is aligned up properly or no broken pieces. Reconnect and just try lights or wiper. If still no go, you might have to look at the prongs on the switches themselves and see if they are making proper contact, spray with electrical cleaner if you have any and reconnect and test again.
 
#35 ·
i dont have anymore input lol faja is deff helping out..i complain about this site ALL the time about people who give stupid answers or dont know what they are talking about..i give faja some credit b/c this is the 1st and ONLY time ive seen someone come back with some decent feedback and try to actually help beside myself when there is someting im pretty familiar with..so just a quick thanks faja the forum appreciates you..btw im saving you for help on future problems i have lol if thats ok..seeya guys rightatnight hope u find the prob steering column probs are horrible lol ull get it figured out tho lol
 
Discussion starter · #36 ·
It just doesn't feel like a problem at the steering wheel. All signs point to something further down the line. I just don't know what that is. I think I'm just going to have to bring it into the dealer. This sucks.
 
#37 ·
rickatnight11 said:
It just doesn't feel like a problem at the steering wheel. All signs point to something further down the line. I just don't know what that is. I think I'm just going to have to bring it into the dealer. This sucks.
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I've run out of ideas too Rick. If you do take it to the dealer let us know what the problem was as now I'm just as curious as you are except I don't have to pay for my curiosity :eek:

BTW, thanks for the positive words Nickaltima - appreciate it!! :givebeer:
 
Discussion starter · #40 ·
Thanks for everyone's help. I brought the car over to the dealer this morning, and just got the call from them. I need a new IPDM (Intelligent Power Distribution Module), which came to $410 total parts and labor. I'm just glad it wasn't the computer.
 
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