hey everyone- so i just bought a sweet 01 Xterra and its perfect- it just wont start now! i was hooking up some reverse lights because the guy put limo tint in the back and its hard to see- he already had 2 up there so i hooked up 2 more and when i did- they lights faded out and then died- not only that but the X wont turn over now. Its definately an electric problem, but its not the fuses or the fuse links- i checked- they are all good! its not a mechanical problem because there is no juice or electricity going to the starter or anything. I have no idea what to check now because im so new to this- can someone please help me or give me ideas of where to check- Thanks

Sounds like a battery issue.....possibly blown an alternator....

or if your like me when you went to install them you left every door open so every interior light is on while listening to your music and draining your battery at the same time. try giving it a jump. thats what worked for me.

True.....just a word of advice for you electrical noobs....its a wise idea to disconnect the neg battery cable before you do any type of electrical work, including lights, whatsoever.....helps keep battery fresh and avoids the risk of electrical fire or shock or worse, cooking the X's ECM....

Dead batt. for sure. Charge it up, start it and let your X run for a bit to get the alternator to charge it up after the initial charge. Then go to autozone and have them test it and check your charging system too once you get it running.

so i took the battery to autozone and it was completely fine. I figured as much seeing as how the extremities in my car worked after the lights went dim and then dead. THE X STILL WONT START- all the fuses and fusible links are intact too! Does anyone know about a relay or something that still could be affecting it? Its not the starter or alternator either- its somthing electrical inbetween the battery and the alternator- i cant figure it out- if you have any ideas that would be much appreciated!

Things to check or do.
Will it start with a jump?
There could be charge fuse link on the positive battery post that could be going out and that could cause the slow drain of the battery?
Other goodies that drain a battery are usually aftermarket since Nissan switches the cigarette lighter, glovebox light and the like. So, you are going to have to be resourceful in looking at circuits that remain on. Now, if you have an aftermarket radio that is wired wrong, Nissan uses a strange wiring scheme that switches a power to ground once the circuit is off, and that could cause the problem.
Neutral/park/AT switch?
Ignition fuse under the hood?
Is power getting to the stater?
When you switch the ignition ON before starting the car the "Check engine" light supposed to come ON indicating that engine computer is powered. If you won't see the "Check engine" light when you turn the ignition ON, it's possible that there is no power coming to the engine computer.
Proper ground between tranny and starter?

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What I would do?
Unhook those back-up lights!
"they lights faded out and then died"
Charge battery then try it!
Always remove what caused the problem or what you think caused it.


Good-luck!

Make sure your connections to the battery are clean. You'd be surprised how easily they get corroded and won't let the truck crank. It happens alot with our crappy style battery posts.

Does it turn over? or nothing at all?

80A Battery fusable link. $2.96 at auto zone?
Maybe?

I think he figured it out, I talked to jordo last night he said its probably the anti-theft shut down the current allowed between the starter and the battery. Reason why is because the original owner spliced into the backup lights (with low wattage lights), the anti-theft system regulates and tries to watch for irregular voltage changes. Because jordan then spliced those wires and added 2 more lights without disconnecting the battery the anti-theft kicked in thinking he was trying to hot wire the xterra by crossing paths with other wires (ALWAYS disconnect your battery before doing anything electical). The fix is either to bypass the anti-theft or go to a dealer and get it reset, proving your the vehicles owner when you do.