2000 Nissan Caravan Diesel Electrical Issues: Dimming Lights, Sluggish Battery, and Terminal 30 Interruptions

Hey, I had a similar problem with my 2003 Nissan Skyline not too long ago. It was constantly flickering lights, sluggish starts up, you name it. After much of my DIY troubleshooting fizzled out, I decided to consult an experienced mechanic. He quickly pointed out that my battery was defective. The defects sometimes could interrupt the terminal 30 and amplify those electrical gremlins you mentioned. He explained it like this- batteries degrade over time with constant charge and discharge. This will lead to inefficiency and hence the dodgy lights and slow start-ups. In my case, the battery was 100% gone and needed to be replaced. Once that was done, all those electrical problems simultaneously went away. Not saying this is your problem too, but from my experience, the battery could be the root of your problem. So my advice would be to have your battery and perhaps the entire electrical system checked by a professional—someone who is empathetic to your issue and not a joker like your previous mechanic. Hope this helps. Cheers!

(Translated from German)

Hey there, Thanks for the quick response - it sounds eerily similar to mine. Sorry to be a pain, but do you recall how much you ended up forking out for the battery replacement and the mechanic's fee? Also, since you've got the work done, have any other issues sprung up? I'm hoping it's just the battery, but you know how these things can be, one thing leads to another. Cheers!

(Translated from German)

Hey, No worries at all, happy to help out! For the whole battery replacement gig and the mechanic's fee, I ended up coughing up around 290 Euro. It stung a bit, I won't lie but, hey, it was all worth it considering the relief I got from those nagging electrical issues. And to answer your other concern, since the battery got fixed and that interruption of terminal 30 sorted out, my Nissan Skyline has been running as smooth as a whistle, no extra issues whatsoever. You're spot on though, sometimes one thing does lead to another with these old motors. But for now, touch wood, it’s all been great. Hope your Nissan Caravan sorts itself out the same way - fingers crossed! Cheers!

(Translated from German)

Hey! Appreciate your detailed reply . You're right about peace of mind can certainly outweigh a one-time cost, seems like 290 Euro well spent if you ask me. Here's hoping my issue follows a similar path and it's just the battery that needs replacing or maintenance. Thanks for sharing your positive experience after the fix - let's hope the old beast keeps ticking without additional headaches! Cheers for now!

(Translated from German)