I just bought a maxima from another org member and the alternator just went out. Its like $400 to change it and i dont see my self paying that amount of money to change the alternator i only drove the car for about 800-900miles . I never messed with the electrics or anything so i dont know what i should do. According to mass law i can Take it back minus the miles i drove the car but the guy is a nice guy so please give me some ideas. he had a system in the car so could that be a big contributor. If i can get one cheap i would but i am flat broke. I just bought the car. Please help me.

Is the alternator that hard to change on this maxima. Its a 98 gxe nissan maxima 5spd. Thanks. I also called napa auto parts and they gave me two different prices one alternator is a 100amp and another is 110amp alternator. How do i know which one it is.

 

Unless he was a car dealer it is as is, unless bill of sale states he gave you a warrantee. Mass lemon laws only apply to car dealers not private sellers.
100 amp 110 amp will both work it just depends on stereo system, money wanted to spend, etc. I would put a new belt on the same time. It is not hard but if you don't have tools and knowledge I would not attempt it. Buy it yourself and have someone install it, no more than 100 to install or they are ripping you off.

 

Go the the junkyard and get one. $60. You can use on from a 2k-2k1 with no problems. This way is fairly new. The install isnt that easy, but can be done. I did mine in about 2.5 hours.

 

I noticed that you have a 1998. If it's the original nissan alternator ( which it might not be, if he had a hefty audio system), there's a chance that you can get it replaced for free at the nissan dealership. There was an alternator recall for 1998 models and I believe some late 1997 models. It's worth a shot.

 

^^^ I just had mine done in this way.

 

If it's not covered by the recall, changing it is not too bad, a couple of hours if you're handy with a wrench. A new one was about $140 with a swap for the old one.

 

Help Please This Is My First Post. When I Hit The Brake The Car Turns Of Instantly As If It Was A Kill-switch. I Think It's An Electrical Issue. Possible A Neutral Safety Switch Or Something Silly Ish.
I've Seen A Lot Of Fixes And Helpful People On Here
So Anything You Can Do To Help, Including Pointing Me In The Right Direction Or Tellnig Me How I Can Startr A Thread. I Love My Maxi.
I Cannot Stand It Being Off The Road Anymore. Please Help Me~!~!

 

Sounds like an electrical problem. The additional load placed on by the brake lights might lower the voltage at the computer enough for it to cut out. I would open the hood and start looking for bad ground connections, espicially around the battery. Get a worklight and check that the ground strap that goes from the starter to the frame is in good shape, its alittle hard to see as its really in there.

 

You can start by NOT writing everything with CAPS LOCK on. You can start a new thread once you get 15 posts. Try not to hijack people's thread... it should be fairly easy to get your first 15 posts.

 

[FONT="Tahoma"]THANKYOU (TO THE OTHER GUY- how can i not hijacka thread IF I CANT POST MY OWN?) [I need help]

I put my foot on the brake to take it out of park, I CAN drive if it I start it in neutral and use the Ebrake to stop otherwise it is stationary :[!!!!!

http://forums.maxima.org/images/smilies/wtf.gif


I have fogs, the venom 400, and a head unit that WERE connected i took thewm off it's just the battery and the pos\neg. the car will not recharge the battery after running for 10 mins. Also i may have a bad thermostat maybe that could be related THANKYOU IN ADVANCE !!!!!!!!!! http://forums.maxima.org/images/smilies/bowdown.gif

 

yeah it turns off instantly when you hit the brake as if it were a kill switch.
it turns off and don't think it has the dashboard lights come on, (like they usually do) if a car turns off

 

Just wait till you have the money, and get the alternator replaced.

 

Its not that hard. just get a haynes manual and decent tools and your set.