Before you jump my case about repost or double post, I do know this is already in the NE forum as well. My need is urgent so I hope you'll let it slide this once.

Hi all, my friend Valerie is on a trip around the US in her 2K Max SE. For some reason, against my warnings, she took the car to Jiffy Lube for an oil change in Syracuse. Everything was fine going in but when she went to drive away the charging system light and the brake light were both on. Long story short, they deny doing anything to the car and suggested she go to the convenient Nissan dealer just across the road. They say it's the alternator (brake light is on as a function of the faulty alternator according to the Nissan bastard).

So, I need some help for her with a shop recommendation for someone she can trust to make an honest diagnosis and any repairs that are now necessary, if any. I'm about 99% certain that the car was sabotaged but given that I'm in Tucson, I can't inspect it or do any of the work myself.

Dealer wants ~$460 to replace the alternator (parts & labor). We have a few days if you have other recommendations but she can't go too far from where the car sits in Syracuse. Also, any thoughts on stuff she could possibly check or do herself with a walkthrough over the phone and I'll walk her through it.

Thanks in advance!