I think my alternator just died today. I was driving to a friends house turned the car off and went inside for about an hour and came back out and the car wouldn't even crank. The battery turns on and etc.... no crank. I let it sit there for like 3 hours come back and the max cranks. Is this my alternator? If so how much does the labor go for on this? Also I had heard that there was a recall on the Maxima alternators a while back... how would I know if my car was in this recall? Do I contact a regular Nissan dealership?

 

Sounds like the alternator. My car literally died on the highway at 70mph when the alternator took a dump. After waiting fifteen minutes, the car started back up and I was able to limp home at 50mph. I replaced it myself for the second time in 45 minutes. Reman unit from Autozone w/ a lifetime warranty was $170. Check the stickies to see if you qualify for recall alternator work.

 

Thanks a lot THT... I realli appreciate it.

 

Should be between 1-2 hours of shop labor + the alternator itself. Nissan will deny you a replacement alternator if you have over too many miles. If you're over 100k (which most 96/97's are), I'd say your chances of getting a free one are pretty slim, but you could always call the dealer to find out for sure.

 

how'd u fix it so fast? I heard in order to do this you have to take off the radiator or somthing like that is this true?

 

Just the fans need to come off....

-matt

 

thanks a lot matty... i think i will do the labor on this one... i can't afford to take the max to the shop.

 

I heard the hardest part was getting the bolts back into the alternator while holding the new one in place. shouldnt be too bad

http://www.motorvate.ca/mvp.php/500

Theres a part one and part two

-matt

 

yea i saw that... i plan on using that to do the alternator swap. I'm mainly worried about the belts... I heard those are hard also. And plus my main concern is $$$ right now... I have work and I can't afford the alternator nor the down time of the max right now but I have to figure somthing out ASAP.

 

Belts are easy. The hardest is the longest bolt for the alternator because it uses a very weird shape "nut"

 

Alternator has nothing to do with starting up your car. It must be something else.

 

Uhmm ... I went back to my car that evening and it started ok... but after i turn my car off i cannot turn it on again. After 1-2 hours the car starts up again. What's going on? is it just my battery? or is the alternator just not charging it? I'm freakin confused cuz i need the car for the week. Please help. thanks.

 

WHen a car wont start it is limited to a small list.

Is the car getting air? (there is always air so this is ruled out automatically)
Is the car getting spark?
Is the Car getting fuel?

Check the battery for voltage
Check CPS (Ref and Pos), and Cam sensor on the timinch chain cover.

 

ahhhh...dont forget about the starter...starter coulda just been in a dead
spot at the time and not want to turn the engine over...what do you mean when you said the "battery turns on etc..."

 

I knew I was forgetting one, yes defiantely the starter also.

 

the starter is fine i just had it replaced. My car is just sitting at a Denny's right now. I have to get it towed to my mechanic today. So i'll find out today wth is wrong with my car.

what i meant was when i turn the key to the batt on mode the lights all turn on and stuff but it won't turn over. Like I said the funny thing is... I can turn the car on but after a drive and I turn the car off... I can't turn it back on unless I let it sit there for about 3-4 hours than it would turn back on. But this time it didn't happen and now it's at a Denny's.