I am starting to notice that at night when i drive, the headlights dim a little bit when i raise and lower the windows. Im startin to freak out cause i have no money to pay for a new altenator(tuition is a ****)Also, my windows go up/down very slowly. Slower than my friends max so im thinking something might be wrong. I got a new interstate battery about 14-16 months ago so i dont think its the batery. The previous owner was running a sound system for a while and i took it out when i got it. could that have helped mess up the altenator.(it was a rather crappy system, 800 watt amp for 2 12's)I did a search but found nothing to help me. If its not the alt, what can it be. What is the cost of a new one???
thanx

 

In all the cars ive driven, the lights dim when i use the windows. My drivers side window is slow, and it freaks me out cause i cant afford crap like that because of school too, but i think its just normal. As for the lights, i think its normal for the lights to dim when you use things like the windows or AC. But ive never had a bad alternator so i cant say for sure...good luck

 

The headlight should dim but not too noticeable, go to Auto Zone so they can do a free diagnostic test on your charging system for free. (YES I SAID FREE)

 

FREE!!! Thats a word i havent heard in a while!!! Since im done with classes i guess im gonna check it out tomorow. I hope its nothin serious cause if it is i think im just gonna give up on moddin the max. Its costing me enough $$$ already just to keep it in running conditions. I still love it though. Just out of curiosity, is there a company that makes hi performance aftermarket altenators for the max. I called some people at ohio genorators or somethin like that, and they were rude as f*ck. They had me on hold for like 15 min and hung up on me. i emailed them and they said they dont have any for maximas. I want to put in a sound system again but i know its gonna kill the altenator for sure.

 

maybe check your grounds and see if they are tight, corrosion free

 

When replacing the alternator, there's often a choice of higher amperage alts to choose from. I'm sure there are likely at least two alts for the Maxima because they'd need a bigger one for the cold weather package.

Also, if you want to eliminate the dimming lights, a 1 Farad capacitor (the kind used for stereo systems) in parallel to the battery will help. It may not eliminate the dimming completely, but it should help in the noticability of the dimming as the cap will be able to supply high voltage and high current for a few seconds.

 

try relubing your window tracks with some good grease. I think lithium is the perferred choice, someone correct me if it's not. this should take some considerable load off of your power window motors and presserve their life and the regulators life. Your engine speed should slightly increase to when using the windows. It's part of the ECU to make up for power discrepancies. Even when the window is fully in the up position pull on the switch to make it go up and you should notice the tach increase SLIGHTLY.

 

When I first read the title of the post I thought you were wanting a new Altima, not an alternator!

 

me too

 

and if you have a 97 maxima, there was a factory recall on it earlier this year and you might be able to get it done for free, just take your car to the dealer and let them run the VIN. Thats how i got my free alternator. Hope it helps

anu

 

or Auto Parts...


The last time I showed up in 4 different auto stores, some didn't even have cables that could test max's alternator.

And they told me, uh huh, it's dead and we have just the right one for you...

turned out my alty was fine...ground was bust...

 

according to his profile, he has a 95..........no recall : [ ..........when my alternator was dying, i didnt have any of those symptoms, just had a whining noise

 

yeah, if your alternator's going bad (i've had 2 go bad on my old max already) you'll notice everything is dim and lower on power. the heads on the car would get insanely dim. btw, if you're driving down the road and your radio starts shutting off for no apparent reason, that's the final cue to pull over and have it towed to a shop for the new alternator. as for the dimming of the lights like you said, my car has a new battery and a good alternator and it still does that. i've heard from several people getting an aftermarket ground kit can help remedy that problem by a lot. if you're worried about it, you can try that. nonetheless, it sounds pretty much normal. also, that audio system probably put some nasty drain on your alternator over time (it definitely took a toll on my old max's alternator). anyhoo, good luck!

 

Well i had my electrical system checked by friends brother who works at sears. He works in the "mechanics area" of sears and checked my battery and everything. He said everything was ok. mayhem suggested relubing the windows, i think that is a good idea because the windows roll so slowly. Is there a how to on doing this? Im going to do a little searchin later on... Just got home from work 5:51AM!!!!!! I got to get some sleep. MacGyver im thinking about the capacitor thing also, but im not sure how i would install it. i gotta search on that also, or do you have any suggestions or links... I have 2 caps i was saving for my system but i can use one for my electrical system and get another later on. The cap i have also has the digital readout on it so i guess that could be usefull and if installed right would look nice under the hood.
...Time for sleep
Thank for the help everyone

 

I am having similar problems I have read in the past that some people rerouted a ground wire to help.