1- Stalled in traffic = cold engine? 2- Alarm question

[Daydreamin520]

1 - Had not driven van in a few days.

Cold morning, for Tucson. 

Half a tank of gas, engine light still on C, oil indicator in the middle.

Drive less than 2 miles from house, get into a left turn lane to go into the Burger King

and I suddenly notice van has stalled.

Only thing I noticed was that the red "BRAKE" indicator was on, as if parking brake on, I guess

... but it was NOT on.

I turned key to off and then on again... brake light off, good to go.

 

I can not imagine what caused this but hope it can be explained that maybe I didn't have it into "drive" all the way?  Or low battery, maybe?  As I said, it had sat for 3 days and I did have a lot of things going all at once... heat, both defrosters, the radio, ran the windshield wipers to get frost off, driving lights probably on.

 

Should I be concerned?

 

2 -  Is there a way to lock up van but NOT have the alarm on?  Like, if I have my dogs in the van, I'd like to lock it if I run into store or gas station for a minute.  Tried once... and alarm started going off when dogs moved around inside.

 

Thanks.

[radin2son]

Not much you can do until it happens again. Hope it doesn't.

 

I think you have a 2012 NV from TX. The battery could be 3 years old and need replacement soon due to TX and soon AZ heat. 84* next week...

 

We haven't had problems with our 50+ lb dogs setting off the alarm. We have, however, pushed the panic button with the key in our pocket while camping in the van. We no longer lock it when we are inside. Back to your issue, try locking it with the key. May or may not work...

 

Another thing I have had happen, perhaps others as well, the doors will lock but the horn and lights do nothing. The only thing I can figure is that the rear door was closed but not completely. For others, it has been the side door. Your replication task will be to figure out the which door.

[Daydreamin520]

Thanks rad'.  I actually may have pressed the panic button this morning, when I let my two boxers into the side door, because it did go off, right as I first let them and myself in.  I just hit the unlock button twice and that stopped it.  Hmm, maybe that factored in to the stall thing.  Yes I did get it from Texas... it is a 2013 with 28k on it.  Maybe all batteries need a switcheroo... but I will wait and see and, for a little while, keep my adventures confined to paved road with good phone reception... lol.  Thanks.

[Daydreamin520]

UPDATE - Got in van this a.m. and it was DEAD.  No noise, no lights, no power.  Called Jim Click Nissan first to ask them if there was anything I should know about battery before AAA guy got here and tried to sell me a new one.  Spoke to Frank, the service manager, I think, and he said if it was the original, it was still under warranty.  Said I could come right out after it got jumped.

 

AAA guy, Paul, very nice.  Said the battery was fully charged.  Told me to drive straight to Nissan place without turning off the van.  Halfway to place, van died at a light but restarted instantly as I hollered out, "noooooooo."  Almost died a second time, gauge needles fluttered, warning lights blinked, two lights from place.

 

Once there, all folks nice and helpful.  Because it died/almost died while driving, they did a few other tests (alternator?).  Said battery was fine and the only thing they found was that the positive battery cable was super loose.  I asked if AAA guy coulda done that and they said maybe and were surprised he did not notice it, if it was not his fault.

 

So... one hour later, drove home.  No stalling out.  We will see how it goes...

 

BTW, they did tell me I had a missing power steering cap, which will cost $39. to replace.  suggested I go ask CarMax to order/pay for it.  I said, ya, but over 30 day warranty by about 2 weeks.  Will still go ask on Monday, tho'... what the heck, can't hurt.

 

Later all.

 

(AAA guy loved the van... and -politely- asked how much was it.  Still, did act incredulous that it was my daily driver and not bo't for some work related reason... lol)

Edited March 8, 2015 by Daydreamin520

[radin2son]

Frank is the service manager you should continue to deal with. If you have to bring it in again, speak with Jeff to set up an appointment and let him know about your conversation with Frank. Have them order the part you need before your appointment. Your best bet is to have them do your service now that they know you.

 

You got the van you wanted, but it doesn't appear CarMax was up to the task of preparing your van for delivery, given the broken panel and now a missing cap. Hope they cover the the $39, since they were the last ones, or should have been, under the hood.