Fans and headlights

Non-Technical Nissan QashQai chat. Mk2, Mk3
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VanquishStorm
Posts: 12
Joined: Wed Aug 19, 2020 5:30 pm
Qashqai Model: Mk.2 Qashqai - J11 (2013–2017)

Post by VanquishStorm »

Noticed when first starting the car on these cold mornings and trying to clear the windscreen with the fans the fans speed up and slow down constantly and you can see the headlights dim and brighten in unison with the fans. Is this the battery causing this or something else?

This is a 66 plate 1.2 petrol

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calnorth
Posts: 2719
Joined: Mon Feb 11, 2019 2:01 pm
Qashqai Model: Mk.2 Qashqai Facelift - J11b (2017–2021)

Post by calnorth »

Its a concern really. Can you follow this vid and get to the System Status menu and check the voltage level/stability:

Mk2 Qashqai Facelift - J11b (2017–and onward)
1.6 Dig-T N-Connecta
VanquishStorm
Posts: 12
Joined: Wed Aug 19, 2020 5:30 pm
Qashqai Model: Mk.2 Qashqai - J11 (2013–2017)

Post by VanquishStorm »

Thanks, it’s flicking between 11.79 and 11.81 with nothing on like in the video :/
VanquishStorm
Posts: 12
Joined: Wed Aug 19, 2020 5:30 pm
Qashqai Model: Mk.2 Qashqai - J11 (2013–2017)

Post by VanquishStorm »

Since being sat and checking it a now flicking between 11.79 and 11.77.

Turning the engine on it shoots up to over 14 but ithr fans are not doing what they have been. Might check that when they are.
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calnorth
Posts: 2719
Joined: Mon Feb 11, 2019 2:01 pm
Qashqai Model: Mk.2 Qashqai Facelift - J11b (2017–2021)

Post by calnorth »

VanquishStorm wrote: Sun Jan 24, 2021 10:55 am Since being sat and checking it a now flicking between 11.79 and 11.77.

Turning the engine on it shoots up to over 14 but ithr fans are not doing what they have been. Might check that when they are.
Yes..check with lights and fans full on. Alternator should easily handle that.

Things to do...you can watch it while driving and 14v is good showing charging occurring.

Perform longer journeys...keep short journeys to a minimum and limit/prevent STOP/START if you have it.

Check voltage when stopped/Ign OFF which needs to be about 12.5v. Check again after a few hours. If volts keep falling below 12v then:

1. Your journeys are too short
2. The Battery is dying/under charged
Last edited by calnorth on Mon Jan 25, 2021 12:56 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Mk2 Qashqai Facelift - J11b (2017–and onward)
1.6 Dig-T N-Connecta
VanquishStorm
Posts: 12
Joined: Wed Aug 19, 2020 5:30 pm
Qashqai Model: Mk.2 Qashqai - J11 (2013–2017)

Post by VanquishStorm »

Thank you I’ll give that a go.

It’s in for a service next month but don’t really want to fork out on a new battery.

I’m hoping it’s down to short and minimum journeys over the last few months!
Qashowner
Posts: 564
Joined: Wed Apr 17, 2019 10:07 am
Qashqai Model: Mk.2 Qashqai - J11 (2013–2017)

Post by Qashowner »

Bear in mind, on cold mornings your battery efficiency will be down as much as 50% at freezing.
Past cars Mercedes B Class, S Class, E Class Estate, E Class Coupe, G Wagen, 260E interspersed with Peugeot 406 and Audi Coupe.
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lapalmeraie
Posts: 386
Joined: Tue Mar 28, 2017 5:11 am
Location: Belgium
Qashqai Model: Mk.2 Qashqai Facelift - J11b (2017–2021)
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Post by lapalmeraie »

This is a quick check indeed but this measuring isn't quite reliable but merely a quick check.
It was almost 2V higher compared to the multimeter test

Qashqai J11b 2020 N-TEC - 1.3 DIG-T 140PS
Qashqai J11a Connect Edition 1.6 DIG-T 163PS
Deleted User 10757

Post by Deleted User 10757 »

I bought this to the attention of the dealer.
Seemed more prevailent on the J11 compared to the J11B

It appears that the alternator output has an intelligent control unit to allocate the power to where the engineers feel it is most needed - and not necessarily what is logical to you and me.

Also , by reducing the load on the alternator , the fuel economy is improved.
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