Today my battery and brake lights came on and I looked at my volt meter on my amp and its only reading 11.6 at idle(usually 14.1) and only 10.4 when I have the music full blast (usually 12.9). So my alternator took a crap?

 

I finally think my alternator DIED. Car light a very dim think once i cut the car off and try restarting it wouldnt, then I got out the battery charge and within 5mins of charging the car started. So much is labor for alternators?

 

Yup its your alternator, call the dealership and find out if your car was included in the recall.

 

hmm recall? so i can actually get a free alternator? all for free?

 

IF your vin falls under the vin numbers in the recall.

 

Thank you and I hope it does beecause this dont make any sense how much stuff I have to do to this car...

 

I just had to change mine the other day. I didn't know about this recall thing though. Hopefully I didn't have to pay $300 for nothing! But if you are changing it yourself do yourself a favour and pull the rad out first.

 

just had the same problem about 2 weeks ago, i did the job myself & didn,t have to remove the radiator, just the fan assembly. use the info in the Haynes manual & online. it took about an hour w/the car way up on stands. extra hands are good for this job. i took the alt out underneath instead of trying to go up w/it. r/f tire off.

 

Most 9 year old cars will require maintanence, sometimes substantial maintanence.

 

I have a 97 Maxima too and my alternator is almost dead.
I checked for recalls and found that if your Maxima was manufactured from February 13, 1997 to February 27, 1998, then Nissan will replace your alternator.

Here is the link: http://www.nissannews.com/site_libra...ll7-3-02.shtml

And a link with Nissan phone numbers:
http://www.autobuyguide.com/1997/12-...lls/index.html

The problem is that I think my car was made in the end of 96.

 

Thanks guys Im going to make afew phones when i get out of school...

WEEDSMOKE- it cost you $300!?

 

Well I bought a Duralast 125 amp alternator today and it get put on torrommow morning....It cost 160.99 so I was thinking that pretty good for an 125 amp instead of the stock 110 amp plus a lifetime warranty

 

Excellent price, $160 is cheap for a new alty , where did you buy it ?
Did you call nissan regarding the recall?

 

Yes sir i did and it wasnt in the time frame of the mishappen...

 

Where did you buy the alternator ? Is this new or a rebuilt one ?

 

Its a rebuilt by duralast but with a lifetime warranty I have nothing to worry about..

 

New alternator installed and battery light is still on and my amp is only reading 12.2 volts but then my rpms drop 200 and the volts kicks up to about 13.2 and slowly claims and drop back down to 12.2

Any suggestions? I also think the guy that installed it cut somwthing...and used tape(because he ask me for some)

 

check the harness plug on top of the alt for broken wires, these are easily broken if you pull on them too hard trying to get the plug out of the alt. also check the belt tension. and if the alt IS bad, have the next one checked in AUTOZONE b4 you leave the store.

 

I changed my alternator myself and I screwed up the harness so I just clipped the wires and attached contact plugs(??) to them. Now the alt charges at 13+ but when I turn the car off the battery light and airbag light stay on, plus the battery doesnt hold the charge for more then 3 days. Check the harness and if anyone can suggest anything for me, PLEASE HELP. Sorry jextel didnt mean to bogart your thread.

 

Well today my power is up to 13.7 so I guess its a matter of time until the battery is charged? I think im going to get a red top for the hood and a yellow for the trunk(Think the 125amp alt can handle it?)