Whats are the signs of a bad alternator
#1
Whats are the signs of a bad alternator
I suspect that my alternator is going bad.
While at a complete stop my tachometer will drop to 0 rpm (engine does not stall) and the ABS light will turn on followed my the airbag light. Once i rev the engine up the lights go away and the car functions normally (Seems like the alternator is not producing enough voltage at low revs). I shut the car off while it was doing this yesterday and I needed a jump to start it back up.
I think i saw something about a recall on the 1998 Maxima alternators but I can't find it again.
What do you guys think?
While at a complete stop my tachometer will drop to 0 rpm (engine does not stall) and the ABS light will turn on followed my the airbag light. Once i rev the engine up the lights go away and the car functions normally (Seems like the alternator is not producing enough voltage at low revs). I shut the car off while it was doing this yesterday and I needed a jump to start it back up.
I think i saw something about a recall on the 1998 Maxima alternators but I can't find it again.
What do you guys think?
#2
I had the same thing happen to me, some one told me that my stereo was killing my alternator. I dont know if it was my stereo but I experienced the same thing you are talking about. The car would shut off and I would have to pop or jump the car all the time. I would replace the alternator and have your battery checked as well.
#7
Originally Posted by SprintMax
thats not the symptom of a going altenator.. thats the symptom of a dirty battery terminals or a dead battery.
When your altenator goes, your car will no longer run.
When your altenator goes, your car will no longer run.
wait...
...what exactly is an alternator again?
#9
Originally Posted by SprintMax
thats not the symptom of a going altenator.. thats the symptom of a dirty battery terminals or a dead battery.
When your altenator goes, your car will no longer run.
When your altenator goes, your car will no longer run.
Sorry to say but thats not true. I’m the victim of a 98 alt. recall. On my way to school my stereo started to fade in and out, the lights would start to go, the tach would drop, error lights would pop up. I barely made it back to town and got it towed to the local stealership,(after i had it checked out my my local mechanic) and tada! melted alternator.
#10
Originally Posted by Pimpmobile
Sorry to say but thats not true. I’m the victim of a 98 alt. recall. On my way to school my stereo started to fade in and out, the lights would start to go, the tach would drop, error lights would pop up. I barely made it back to town and got it towed to the local stealership,(after i had it checked out my my local mechanic) and tada! melted alternator.
Sorry to say but that is correct. What you were experiencing was your car running on just battery power. However your altenator was already dead.
#11
well if your alternator is toast, then it will turn on the battery light, and parking brake light. if this continues on to the next stage, your in big trouble. if your abs light goes on, then the abs computer is not getting enough power to keep it running. goto nissan's website and look up any recalls. there is one. but if your battery is toast, then it will probably do the same. you have to check on each account
#15
hmmm so you think its a loose ground cable?
So why would all the problem go away as soon as i rev the engine to 1500 + RPMS?
P.S. This is not a constant problem. I first saw it one morning two weeks ago in rush hour traffic. I then saw it yesterday in rush hour traffic. My point is the problem only shows up when stopped and the engine was at less than 1000 rpms.
So why would all the problem go away as soon as i rev the engine to 1500 + RPMS?
P.S. This is not a constant problem. I first saw it one morning two weeks ago in rush hour traffic. I then saw it yesterday in rush hour traffic. My point is the problem only shows up when stopped and the engine was at less than 1000 rpms.
#16
i thought i had that same problem with my alternator. i had this high pitched sound coming from the passenger side(whislting). it would only happen when my car was in idle but when i rev the engine it would go away and it would come back when it was back in idle.? i took it to my mechanic and he did a test on the alternator and everything was normal. he checked a pulley and he said it was that. so he replaced it and it stopped. then 2 weeks later that noise came back. i took it back and he did the test thing again and it was fine. and he said it was the pulley, he was saying it was loose, so he tighten it and it was fine. after another 2 weeks went by the whislting noise came back. ??????????HELP??????????
#17
Originally Posted by SDB318
i thought i had that same problem with my alternator. i had this high pitched sound coming from the passenger side(whislting). it would only happen when my car was in idle but when i rev the engine it would go away and it would come back when it was back in idle.? i took it to my mechanic and he did a test on the alternator and everything was normal. he checked a pulley and he said it was that. so he replaced it and it stopped. then 2 weeks later that noise came back. i took it back and he did the test thing again and it was fine. and he said it was the pulley, he was saying it was loose, so he tighten it and it was fine. after another 2 weeks went by the whislting noise came back. ??????????HELP??????????
#18
Originally Posted by DonSupreme
I suspect that my alternator is going bad.
While at a complete stop my tachometer will drop to 0 rpm (engine does not stall) and the ABS light will turn on followed my the airbag light. Once i rev the engine up the lights go away and the car functions normally (Seems like the alternator is not producing enough voltage at low revs). I shut the car off while it was doing this yesterday and I needed a jump to start it back up.
I think i saw something about a recall on the 1998 Maxima alternators but I can't find it again.
What do you guys think?
While at a complete stop my tachometer will drop to 0 rpm (engine does not stall) and the ABS light will turn on followed my the airbag light. Once i rev the engine up the lights go away and the car functions normally (Seems like the alternator is not producing enough voltage at low revs). I shut the car off while it was doing this yesterday and I needed a jump to start it back up.
I think i saw something about a recall on the 1998 Maxima alternators but I can't find it again.
What do you guys think?
#19
Originally Posted by SDB318
i thought i had that same problem with my alternator. i had this high pitched sound coming from the passenger side(whislting). it would only happen when my car was in idle but when i rev the engine it would go away and it would come back when it was back in idle.? i took it to my mechanic and he did a test on the alternator and everything was normal. he checked a pulley and he said it was that. so he replaced it and it stopped. then 2 weeks later that noise came back. i took it back and he did the test thing again and it was fine. and he said it was the pulley, he was saying it was loose, so he tighten it and it was fine. after another 2 weeks went by the whislting noise came back. ??????????HELP??????????
#20
Originally Posted by C3nthusiast
Start your car. Remove the ground off the battery. It should stay running. If not your alternator is bad. Your car operates on the alternator when it is running.
#21
Well first question
What will the silicon do or tell me?
Second I know the alternator is not dead because its been working fine for the past few days. The problem is intermittent..... Maybe I will be in a position to test one day instead of on the highway in rush hour traffic on my way to work...
P.S. Thanks for all the input guys.
What will the silicon do or tell me?
Second I know the alternator is not dead because its been working fine for the past few days. The problem is intermittent..... Maybe I will be in a position to test one day instead of on the highway in rush hour traffic on my way to work...
P.S. Thanks for all the input guys.
#23
Originally Posted by DonSupreme
Well first question
What will the silicon do or tell me?
Second I know the alternator is not dead because its been working fine for the past few days. The problem is intermittent..... Maybe I will be in a position to test one day instead of on the highway in rush hour traffic on my way to work...
P.S. Thanks for all the input guys.
What will the silicon do or tell me?
Second I know the alternator is not dead because its been working fine for the past few days. The problem is intermittent..... Maybe I will be in a position to test one day instead of on the highway in rush hour traffic on my way to work...
P.S. Thanks for all the input guys.
You have a loose connection somewhere or dirty terminals. Have you also checked the fluid in yoru battery? Your symptoms are those of a battery thats dead or terminals that are dirty.
#24
Wow, I had the same exact problem yesterday !!!!!!!! I was going to make a thread about it today until I saw yours. Mine also all of a sudden started losing power. First the radio, then the abs light, then the airbag light and then the car slowly shut off. I had to get it jump started and it started right up. Its parked now until I have time after work to get it checked. The brake lights did not come on so you guys think its the battery? Battery looks fairly new, about a year old or so is what the previous owner said. What do you guys think.
#26
If its a bad battery then why would it die in the middle, shouldnt the alternator be responsible for power once the car is on and moving. I hope you are right and its the battery, dont want to spend $300 on a new alternator.
#27
Originally Posted by Maximized Jiggs
If its a bad battery then why would it die in the middle, shouldnt the alternator be responsible for power once the car is on and moving. I hope you are right and its the battery, dont want to spend $300 on a new alternator.
#29
if the battery is dead.. the car won't start. Check the terminals and fluids first. Or if you are feeling ghetto pop out one of your 1157 bulbs from your rear tail light, get a wire and test it on the battery
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