Strange Car Problem

[YoshiSato]

I have a 95 Nissan Altima with 176k miles. I was driving home from work when halfway home I started loosing power. My cruise control disengaged, my heater fan was turn to max but hardly blowing out any air and the lights were dim compaired to normal and my radio shut off. I never had this problem before. Well I did manage to get home i turned to engine off and then tried to restart it. Dead battery(of course) I'm thinking it might be the alternator but after charging the battery any getting it "tested" at autozone the battery was getting 13.25 volts while the engine was running and they said it appears to be getting enough jucie(however my book say 14v - 15V)

A side note: there sounds like there is a whining noise comming from under the hood. The best way to discribe the noise is: The way an electric drill sounds when trying to drill through something with a nearly dead battery.

Is this the signs of an alternator that is shot(it's the orginal one)
I haven't had any problems since I charged the battery drive to autozone and back home(so far).

 

[Rubycon]

Sounds like a bad alternator to me.

Last one I heard whine loudly had a blown diode.

You may want to take it to a rebuild shop since it's an import, parts are $$$ on those Datsuns.

 

[YoshiSato]

Pepboys $114 for the part + $71 for labor. AAA would not give me a price over the phone, something about they need to check voltage, amps and charging me $75 to tell me it would cost another $200 to fix the problem(last time I ever go to them for service)

 

[Heisenberg]

Yeah, sounds like the alternator. I just had one go bad and it was whining. They're usually super easy to change so you might think about doing it yourself.

 

[SuperSix]

It's the alternator, and if it's the 4 cylinder, it's worth it to PAY someone to replace it.

 

[Cdubneeddeal]

Originally posted by: SuperSix
It's the alternator, and if it's the 4 cylinder, it's worth it to PAY someone to replace it.

Are you serious? Changing an alternator is easier than changing spark plugs 😕

 

[Rubycon]

Originally posted by: Cdubneeddeal

Are you serious? Changing an alternator is easier than changing spark plugs 😕

They're probably referencing the transverse mounted FWD configuration with the serpentine belt, etc. Definitely more things in the way than a RWD (aka John Wayne pushrod V-8 ride!) 🙂

 

[Analog]

176K out of an alternator is awesome. I'm surprised it didn't die a long time ago. Delcos are good for 80K or there abouts.

 

[laurenlex]

One more vote for alternator. They are easy to change in a GM 350 in a truck with a monster engine compartment. Not sure on your car.

 

[YoshiSato]

Originally posted by: laurenlex
One more vote for alternator. They are easy to change in a GM 350 in a truck with a monster engine compartment. Not sure on your car.

It's a 4 cylinder, Japanese, FWD 2.4L sedan. I'm sure you can imanage how limited of a working area there is.

Although at least it's not as bad as a Ford AeroStar.

 

[Bassyhead]

Originally posted by: YoshiSato

Originally posted by: laurenlex
One more vote for alternator. They are easy to change in a GM 350 in a truck with a monster engine compartment. Not sure on your car.

It's a 4 cylinder, Japanese, FWD 2.4L sedan. I'm sure you can imanage how limited of a working area there is.

Although at least it's not as bad as a Ford AeroStar.

On my previous car, a '95 Mazda Protege, the mechanic had to remove the right axle to replace the alternator. It was behind the engine.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Cdubneeddeal

Originally posted by: SuperSix
It's the alternator, and if it's the 4 cylinder, it's worth it to PAY someone to replace it.

Are you serious? Changing an alternator is easier than changing spark plugs 😕

Depends on the engine and the car it's in. On my 951 you need to drop the exhaust, two heat shields, and part of the front suspension to get at the alternator. Or you can go at it from above and pull off the intake, AFM, and turbo plumbing...

ZV

 

[Howard]

Mr. Fusion is starting the power draw for the flux capacitor.

 

[SuperSix]

Originally posted by: Cdubneeddeal

Originally posted by: SuperSix
It's the alternator, and if it's the 4 cylinder, it's worth it to PAY someone to replace it.

Are you serious? Changing an alternator is easier than changing spark plugs 😕

Yes I'm serious. How many have YOU changed? I have acually chaged alternators on said car.

Dork. :disgust:

 

[YoshiSato]

Originally posted by: Bassyhead

Originally posted by: YoshiSato

Originally posted by: laurenlex
One more vote for alternator. They are easy to change in a GM 350 in a truck with a monster engine compartment. Not sure on your car.

It's a 4 cylinder, Japanese, FWD 2.4L sedan. I'm sure you can imanage how limited of a working area there is.

Although at least it's not as bad as a Ford AeroStar.

On my previous car, a '95 Mazda Protege, the mechanic had to remove the right axle to replace the alternator. It was behind the engine.

Ouch. How bad did that hurt the wallet?

 

[Bassyhead]

Originally posted by: YoshiSato

Originally posted by: Bassyhead

Originally posted by: YoshiSato

Originally posted by: laurenlex
One more vote for alternator. They are easy to change in a GM 350 in a truck with a monster engine compartment. Not sure on your car.

It's a 4 cylinder, Japanese, FWD 2.4L sedan. I'm sure you can imanage how limited of a working area there is.

Although at least it's not as bad as a Ford AeroStar.

On my previous car, a '95 Mazda Protege, the mechanic had to remove the right axle to replace the alternator. It was behind the engine.

Ouch. How bad did that hurt the wallet?

About $400 😉

 

[DurocShark]

Alternator: 30 minute job.

Do it yourself. Send me the $200.

😀

 

[imported_Phil]

My work car had the alternator replaced the other day - under power, the radio was crackling like mad, and the battery light was coming on when not applying any power to the car.
Mechanic reckoned it was the diode pack on the alternator and changed the whole thing; runs fine now 🙂