The alternator on my 2002 Maxima died the other day and I refused to take my car to the dealer for a warranty replacement. So I visited my uncles shop that sells starters and alternators to get a new one. He didn't have nor could he get on short notice a core for a 2002. But he did have some in stock for older Maximas. One was a 110 amp and the other was a 125 amp for a 1998 Maxima. He let me take them both to see if they fit. Well last night I successfully mounted the 125 amp alternator and it seems to operate much better than the original one ever did. The thing even had a dyno chart with it that showed it's current output at different RPM. The peak was 146 amps at 6000.

I didn't have my camera with me so there are no pictures to show. The 125 amp alternator has the same diameter and case design but is a few mm longer than the original or the replacement 110. The original alternator would drop to less than 12 volts at idle with the headlights and fan on @ idle according to my SAFC-II that can show battery voltage. It did not appreciate the UR UDP. The new one spikes to 14.2 volts @ idle when I crank the car then falls to 13.8 after a brief period. Turning on the headlights and fan on full seems to only take it down to 13.5 even with the UR UDP.


The real point of this post isn't to ***** about my dead alternator for some of you that have poor reading skills. This is to let everyone know that if yours does ever die or just doesn't perform upto par with your UDP you have an alternative even if you can't find one for your specific model year. I suspect that all FWD VQs can share the same alternator and have the option of using the 125 amp unit.

 

Very nice... thanks for the info
While we're on the topic, does anyone have info on rebuilding alternators (specifically for building them out for higher output?)
i.e. what all you do to build them out for more output, what parts you need, workmanship, etc...

 

It's easier to just buy the whole thing unless you're dealing with something pretty old in design. There is a company that makes housings with large heatsinks on them.