Odd Car Issue

[TheSutterDynasty]

Collective CP brain trust,

Periodically my '04 altima has been having electrical issues where at times the signal lights, hazard lights, windshield wipers, window controls, and automatic locks don't work at all. Sometimes the signal light arrow on the front dash will remain green (sometimes one or both), but the rear/front lights won't actually work. When this happens if the headlights are on they won't turn off if the switch is turned off. All the dashboard lights work fine, but the cabin lights do not.

This happened for about a day back in January but fixed itself until now. Clearly there is a short/wiring problem somewhere. Anyone have any ideas?

[EVERLAST]

Burn it with fire....its insured!

[btimbit]

Any idea if these cars have a comfort control module, or computer than takes care of certain electrical components that's separate from the regular computer? Had similar issues with an '04 Jetta and replacing the CCM corrected it. No idea about Nissan's though.

[DownhillGoat]

Do you have an aftermarket starter or security system in it?

A friend of mine had a starter installed in hers years ago, and recently it took over the starter, door locks, and various other components.

[TheSutterDynasty]

Originally Posted by btimbit

Any idea if these cars have a comfort control module, or computer than takes care of certain electrical components that's separate from the regular computer? Had similar issues with an '04 Jetta and replacing the CCM corrected it. No idea about Nissan's though.

I don't think so. Even if it did, wouldn't the essentials like signal lights be spared?

Originally Posted by kunkstyle

Do you have an aftermarket starter or security system in it?

A friend of mine had a starter installed in hers years ago, and recently it took over the starter, door locks, and various other components.

Neither, but thanks for the suggestion!

[ricosuave]

check the ground connections on the battery and elsewhere under the hood (google where)

vw's do strange things when the grounds become loose or corroded or broken

[TheSutterDynasty]

Update: checked the battery & the grounds, no issues.

Have taken it in for a 2nd time hoping they'll find something (it was working the last time).

I've also found that when the electric components stop working, if you move the power seat they start working again. This was the case 100% of the time for the last few months, until even that didn't get it working again. At that point, I taped the power seat adjustment down overnight and it worked again the next day. If I didn't tape it, it wouldn't work.

Any thoughts as to what the heck it is?

[combustiblefuel]

Sounds like a short along the way. A multimeter would help you find out where it is.