Is my alternator starting to die?
#1
Is my alternator starting to die?
Last night I was leaving school... it got really cold really quick while I was in my 3 hour class. My car was frosted over. Not sure if that has anything to do with it... but anyway, I started my car with no problem, but it sounded like it was whining/groaning. The noise became more high pitched as the RPMS went up. On the highway I couldn't really hear the noise because of road/wind noise, but when I was driving slow roads, it was fairly obvious. Going about 65mph on the interstate I started to smell a burning smell... Got home, popped the hood (with the car running) and I could a faint burning smell coming from the alternator/idler pulley area.
This morning my car started and ran fine to work, but it's still making the "whine/groan" noise. I plan on taking it to Autozone to do a free test, but are these symptoms of an alternator on its way out? Thanks!
This morning my car started and ran fine to work, but it's still making the "whine/groan" noise. I plan on taking it to Autozone to do a free test, but are these symptoms of an alternator on its way out? Thanks!
#4
My AC compressor did that just before it seized up and blew the belt apart,
I didn't even have the AC on. I wouldn't go on a long trip till you figure that out if I were you!
I didn't even have the AC on. I wouldn't go on a long trip till you figure that out if I were you!
#5
Originally Posted by Colossus
Last night I was leaving school... it got really cold really quick while I was in my 3 hour class. My car was frosted over. Not sure if that has anything to do with it... but anyway, I started my car with no problem, but it sounded like it was whining/groaning. The noise became more high pitched as the RPMS went up. On the highway I couldn't really hear the noise because of road/wind noise, but when I was driving slow roads, it was fairly obvious. Going about 65mph on the interstate I started to smell a burning smell... Got home, popped the hood (with the car running) and I could a faint burning smell coming from the alternator/idler pulley area.
This morning my car started and ran fine to work, but it's still making the "whine/groan" noise. I plan on taking it to Autozone to do a free test, but are these symptoms of an alternator on its way out? Thanks!
This morning my car started and ran fine to work, but it's still making the "whine/groan" noise. I plan on taking it to Autozone to do a free test, but are these symptoms of an alternator on its way out? Thanks!
I was on rt 80 when my alternator overheated and shut off. stereo, clock, and Cig lighter (to power the radar detector) all went out. helpless feeling knowing that your driving on borrowed time (thank God for a strong battery). Luckily, I found a gas station.
#6
mine died about 3 weeks ago. i didnt get any warning signs or anything. just got in the car, started driving and eventually the car just died cus i had been running off the battery. i bought an alternator from another .org member with 15k miles for $70, installation was $60 and took about a day.
#7
Autozone tested it and said that the alternator is cranking 117 amps, which is fine, but the tester machine said that the alternator has a bad diode pattern. The autozone guy, who seemed pretty well informed, said that the alternator has four diodes... two for each current direction. He had that each pair of diodes handles about 60 amps each. (60 x 2 = 120amps or so). So he said that 1 of 4 of my amp diodes has probably failed because it's still cranking good but has a bad pattern. He said the other paired diode will fail anytime between now and about a week and half and then the alternator will be done for. He said it's on its last leg. (It's an alternator out of a 95 max anyway). Sooo, because I have a warranty, I actually have to wait until my car dies (ie, the part totally fails) before its covered, so I can't have it replaced until both diodes fail.
Make any sense?
Make any sense?
#9
Originally Posted by Colossus
Sooo, because I have a warranty, I actually have to wait until my car dies (ie, the part totally fails) before its covered, so I can't have it replaced until both diodes fail.
Make any sense?
Make any sense?
My new alternator started whining within a week of getting it, but 15,000 miles later, and it's still going.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
sctludwig
3rd Generation Maxima (1989-1994)
8
09-01-2022 01:32 PM
QueensMAX
5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)
7
09-15-2015 04:14 AM
trungg86
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
7
09-04-2015 04:58 AM