4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999) Visit the 4th Generation forum to ask specific questions or find out more about the 4th Generation Maxima.

How do you know when ur alternator is going bad?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 02-05-2004, 10:09 PM
  #1  
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Thread Starter
 
Cashj2002's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,406
How do you know when ur alternator is going bad?

I just wanted to know how do you know when ur alternator is going bad, what are the signs??
Cashj2002 is offline  
Old 02-05-2004, 11:49 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
Keith P's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 184
Take it to a couple of places that offer free testing. Also, check to see if your VIN is listed on recall for bad alternators (96s and early 97 ?) Another possible problem that I fixed, was a corroded ground wire under the battery pan. Found it when I installed the CAI.
Keith P is offline  
Old 02-06-2004, 12:06 AM
  #3  
Senior Member
iTrader: (18)
 
Nismo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: CA
Posts: 8,751
mine made a whining sound when it went bad. burned out diode(recall)
Nismo is offline  
Old 02-06-2004, 05:49 AM
  #4  
ejj
Donating Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (5)
 
ejj's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,602
Mine lit on fire. I knew it wouldn't work after that.

The other one I had go bad tripped the battery light a few days in advance.
ejj is offline  
Old 02-06-2004, 06:03 AM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
minsbang's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 2,085
my car started to jerk while driving. Plus my interior lights started to go Dim. My audio started to fade. and sometimes stop working.
minsbang is offline  
Old 02-06-2004, 06:09 AM
  #6  
Supporting Maxima.org Member
 
Neptune97's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Posts: 198
Mine started whining, and then also lit on fire. Best part: there's a gap in the early 97 VIN #s that wasn't covered for the alternator recall. Yep, mine was in there...
Neptune97 is offline  
Old 02-06-2004, 06:10 AM
  #7  
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Thread Starter
 
Cashj2002's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,406
I have a volt guage and when I started the car early morning, its at 14.5 when I drive for alittle with the bass on my 12s up it drops to 13.5 or 13.0
Every now and then the lights may dim and the need on the volt guage moves back and forth.
Cashj2002 is offline  
Old 02-06-2004, 09:40 AM
  #8  
Member
 
eazyE690's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 83
i was actually looking into putting a dual alternator setup, if anyone has info on this let me know. i have a few tv's and a system and i know i need more current. let me know
eazyE690 is offline  
Old 02-06-2004, 09:49 AM
  #9  
Banned
 
skiwalka's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 101
My speakers started to shut down periodically a couple days before the alternator died. I also got the whinning a mile or two before it completely self destructed
skiwalka is offline  
Old 02-06-2004, 09:54 AM
  #10  
Senior Member
 
Pappa Grande's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2000
Posts: 677
Oddly, when your brake light come on, but won't go off.
Pappa Grande is offline  
Old 02-06-2004, 10:56 AM
  #11  
Supporting Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (8)
 
nismology's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Miami, FL
Posts: 9,116
Isn't that a sign of a low brake fluid level??
nismology is offline  
Old 02-06-2004, 11:10 AM
  #12  
Supporting Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (59)
 
Stephen Max's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 5,869
I knew my alternator was on its way out when the headlights would become intensely bright at high rpm. People were flashing their brights at me and wildly swerving out of my way.
Stephen Max is offline  
Old 02-06-2004, 11:16 AM
  #13  
Banned
iTrader: (10)
 
Torgus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Boston Baby!
Posts: 4,204
Originally Posted by Stephen Max
I knew my alternator was on its way out when the headlights would become intensely bright at high rpm. People were flashing their brights at me and wildly swerving out of my way.

sounds like mod. so when i step on it people get the hell out of my way...probably just blind them and make me a good canidate for an accident tho...
Torgus is offline  
Old 02-06-2004, 11:44 AM
  #14  
1 of few unmodded 4G Maxs
 
Wills98MaxSE's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Commerce Twp., MI
Posts: 2,828
[QUOTE=Keith P]check to see if your VIN is listed on recall for bad alternators (96s and early 97 ?) QUOTE]

'97 and '98 models manufactured b/w Feb. '97 to Feb. '98 are affected by the recall, so you might want to check your manufacture date on your driver door jamb
Wills98MaxSE is offline  
Old 02-06-2004, 12:08 PM
  #15  
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Thread Starter
 
Cashj2002's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,406
What about the 95-96??

[QUOTE=Wht98SE]
Originally Posted by Keith P
check to see if your VIN is listed on recall for bad alternators (96s and early 97 ?) QUOTE]

'97 and '98 models manufactured b/w Feb. '97 to Feb. '98 are affected by the recall, so you might want to check your manufacture date on your driver door jamb
Cashj2002 is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
TallTom
5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)
50
07-08-2022 09:54 AM
chisam14
6th Generation Maxima (2004-2008)
1
11-06-2018 08:56 PM
RealityCheck
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
7
10-02-2015 06:34 PM
Andy29
5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)
8
09-29-2015 05:32 AM



Quick Reply: How do you know when ur alternator is going bad?



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 02:15 AM.