Hello,

I'm new to this site and have been browsing for a few weeks now. I have a 91 SE, 5-speed, about 90K that I love dearly. This evening on the way home, about 2 blocks from home, it began to lose electrical power. It's cold and wet here in the Boston area so I had the defroster on 3 (which includes AC), rear defrost and lights. Lights dimmed to almost nothing. I revved the engine (which didn't help) and turned off all accessories (except lights) and managed to get home. Now there's not enough power left in my battery to start (just clicking from starter, a turnover if I'm lucky).

Is my alternator shot? Or is this something else? I have had problems with occasional stalling/refusing to start in very wet weather before (engine turnover on start, no firing). Could something be shorting out (again, it's cold, damp and humid here now, though not raining). No problems yesterday when it was frigid cold but dry.

I have to drive to New Jersey tomorrow, and I guess I'm going to rent a car, but any suggestions would be great.

Thanks, and happy holidays!

Kevin

 

sounds like the alternator to me.

 

Alternator light did not come on? Battery might then be bad. Give it extra power from somewhewre and measure the charging voltage, alternator should give min. 13.8V.

Wet weather nostart most propably ingnition maintenance desperately needed. High voltage leaks...

 

Now, don't get me wrong - I'm not trying to act like I have any clue as to whats going on...but you mentioned an altenator light...and I own a 91 Maxima SE and I don't know of any altenator light on my dashboard! Please clarify... (maybe i mistaken the light for something else).

 

looks like a little battery IIRC

 

Like he said. Me ? typically have no clue or glue, too cold rowing boat this is, and u know, they dont like my tinhat with the long horns...

But havent ever seen a car without it -well, my 43 jeep [US Army, btw] does not- have a alt charge light but a gauge.

U've oil, whatever ABS etc lights when u turn ign on. Ok...not now... but when if battery has juice.

 

Recharge the battery and see if the car starts then. If not - it's probably the battery. If it does - run for as long as it will go. If the same problem occurs it's probably the alternator. If the car runs for days and days it's probably the battery anyway.

 

Thanks for all the help. Turned out to be both a fried battery and alternator (or so I was told). Runs like a champ now (~$300 later).

One additional question: Can a bad battery or alternator affect the other? That is, could one of these problems have been avoided if I had paid more attention to what was happening (and to what...)? Then again, it was an old battery and the original alternator...

Cheers!

Kevin

 

Although I am not mechanically inclined, I do know that if the alternator is bad, it will drain your battery. The battery is usually only used upon intial start-up, and the altenator recharges the battery and keeps all the power in your car going as long as the engine is started. The battery only comes into play when the engine is not running, but you are using lights or listening to the radio, etc.

 

I have anew batt a new altenator anew fusable link added cable for
the ground and I'm still having the same problem as the other newbie
can anyone HELP.


I also replaced wires rotor cap plugs pcv fuel filter

 

sorry fellas I have a 94 maxima gxe with 150k many mile left

 

All connections need to be checked, worst reigns

See this & page 10 http://www.cardomain.com/ride/748507/23

 

when u start the car , charging system (alternator) takes control of ur cars electricity....battery is just there to provide cranking power and act as a stabilizer after u car is running....alternator have to charge battery and at the same time provide power to ur car's electric components... so i was wondering why didnt ur car's battery light come on:S? dirt,water and stuff like that can damage ur alternator pretty bad....and if ur alternator is bad so obviously its gonna hurt ur battery as well.....best way to keep an eye on ur alternator is by measuring amps at 1 thousand rpm but u can check it easy way by measuring voltage while the car is runing. minimum should be 13.8V as wiking said.....

 

I guess his problems might be already solved?

Old 12-28-2004, 05:12 AM kgroves Newbie - Just Registered

 

i was trying to answer to his additional question

One additional question: Can a bad battery or alternator affect the other? That is, could one of these problems have been avoided if I had paid more attention to what was happening (and to what...)? Then again, it was an old battery and the original alternator...

 

I have made alot of connection checks & rechecks am i missing something
alt was checked also was told its OK again who knows at this point running out of Ideas, will keep looking (worst reigns)

 

Take battery negative cable into ur hand, inspect. If very good, re-use...or not. Clean, grease contact points. Do oil the rotten batt tray and surroundings. Install a new batt & cable...

 

Thanks wiking I'll change the positive cable its in bad shape the neg cable
Is in good shape however I put my meter on the batt once before and I was
getting about 12v at the batt and suddenly it read 14.2 v I look at later and
again it's reading 12v's again alt is 6 monthes, researching says what you
said it should be 13.8v, alt might be screwing with me?

 

will oil rotten batt tray or replace it finally the car has thrown a code
must fine out what its says and thanks for the Input.

 

Reman alt lifetime generally is one year...

Idling you should get steady reading between 13.8v to 14.7V. Anything else is a problem. Below 13V, alt (or your multimeter) is totally dead.

Codes? Mostly lottery.

 

keeping my fingers crossed I think problem may be solved I again
Did more connection checking and I found the grey connector at
the alt barely plugged in,before that after a batt recharge I would
get only 12vdc after reattaching the grey plug securely I got 14.7ish
vdc which is very good.again thanks very much