Problem with dimming lights thing, when I look at my voltmeter while I'm breaking to see if something happens, and I did and thought I would tell you what happened. When I'm simply driving, it says I'm at about 13 or 14V, and when I downshift or take my foot off the gas, there isn't a change for the most part (I saw it fluctuate a little only a couple times, and only when downshifting), but when I brake, the voltmeter fluctuates and kinda wiggles between 12 and 13V (but it doesn't fluctuate all the time, just often). So not sure of what it might be exactly. Any thoughts?

sounds like alternator on it's way out to me

 

go to your local auto parts store (advance auto, autozone) and ask for a charging system test - most will do it for free with everything in the car.

Yep, alternator. Had those same symptoms right before mine died.

+1 on the alternator.

 

Theres a user (I believe Bratman18) that has a reman EA82 alternator BNIB for like 40 bucks shipped. I had thought about picking it up just to use as a spare, but didnt have the $$ at the time, he might still have it, would have to check the for sale section

Thanks everyone. I thought that the alternator was most likely the culprit but thebraking issue threw me a bit. Thanks for the suggestion about the ea82 alternator - is it pretty much a direct swap? if it is I assume it's more amps (75 vs 90) right?

Should be the same exact alternator you have now... Your car is an EA82 is it not?

 

The maxima alternator is more amps but its not a "direct" bolt in, but GD has the best write-up Ive ever seen on it.

There may be a problem inside the alternator but there may be a faulty connection causing the trouble, possibly a loose fusible link connection. You might try tapping on suspected bad connection areas with a screwdriver handle to see if the that turns up anything.