For the last couple of days when I start my car, this really annoying moaning noise would come from the engine. I figured maybe its cause the engine is cold and would go away after its warm, but since Monday this week its not going away even when the engine is completely warmed up. I actually went to a mechanic and told he me thats just how the engine sounds! Anyways I posted a video hopefully you guys can help me out. Thanks a lot...

Video: http://media.putfile.com/Weird-Noise-From-Engine

 

Sounds like the altenator to me...replace it, along w/belts.
Also fire your mechanic & give him a

 

Goodness, today when I went to workout at my university the car was fine 50% of the way there, afterwards my radio started acting up, some of the speakers stopped working and couple seconds later my ABS light came on and then my airbag light started blinking. After that I see all the displays in get dimmer, at this point I'm scratching my head, thinking what the hells going on??!! SO I turn around head back home. I turn everything off headlights, heater, lights realizing that Geo T is in fact correct. I keep going and after about 1.5 miles, my car stalls at a traffic light, I'm sitting there in the middle lane with all kinds of inconsiderate ****** cutting me off. I tried putting it in nuetral and rolling the car to the side of the street but that didn't work, its a completely flat street, So I get out of the car called AAA and 911, and in the meantime I had to stand there watch people almost hit my baby. I got my car towed to the nearest shop. We'll see what happens. Needless to say not a good day for me. Sorry for the long post...

 

Definitely sounds like the alternator.

 

There was a recall on certain 97-98 Maxima's...you may want to call the dealer & give them your vin# to see if your's falls into that category...that's too bad about your experience

 

put a volt meter to it to know for sure....

 

replace your alternator. If you don't then you will be stranded somewhere. Your car will literally die while driving. Not a fun thing to have happen (especially if you're on the highway)

 

the lights flickering is a key sign that the alternator might be dead. Inspect the area as well. I had the same sympton and thought my alternator was going out, but really my idler pulley fell off, and no tension being put on the belt so the alternator doesnt spin/as fast does charge up like it should and power starts to decrease.

If everything is where is should be, you'll probably want to test the alternator and get it replaced. removing the ac will help gain some needed room to that 14mm bolt that holds the alternator in its place.

 

Thanks for the input guys but as indicated above, my car DID stall at traffic light and ya it wasn't a lot of fun. Got the alternator replaced, whole thing set me back $502.88 Funny thing was that it was the same mechanic who said "Oh thats just how the engine sounds." He was the closest to where my car stalled, so I jus went to him cus I didn't wanna pay those tow charges. Not goin back there anymore though... Anyways no more moaning from the engine!!!!

 

$502.88? Wow what a rip, but i guess having your car back and fully funcational will help to shoulder that cost.

glad you car is back on the road.

 

Ya trust me it hurt but I got the car back the very next day, and I didn't really have much of a choice needed my car back ASAP.

 

Yep yep yep

If it's a 97 or 98, call a dealer and check your vin to see if it's eligible for the recall. My alt died just 2 weeks after they announced the recall. Boy was I lucky - the dealer did it all for free.

Dave

 

Clean that engine compartment.

 

Ya I should shouldn't I... I've been really lazy lately. Before I used to spend 4+ hours cleaning her almost every weekend now my max'll be lucky if I take her to the auto carwash once a month. College sucks, wayyyyy too much freaking work!!

 

goodness why was it soo much money? that really hurts me just thinking some1 charged you that!

 

Ok heres the breakdown of all the things he charge me for...
$286.42 - Remanufactured Alternator
$14.32 - "Shop Supplies"
$39.49 - "Check" all kinds of things...
$142.16 - Assembly
$5.45 - Hazardous Materials

Labor $187.10
Parts $487.84
Grand Total w/ tax - $502.88
You be the judge...

 

WoW, did he at least kiss you, before he Phucked you!!!

 

Typical mechanic's bill...

 

I've never replaced a 4th gen alternator, but it doesn't look like a big job. last one I did was on an '86 toyota camry in the parking lot at murray's it literally took me 10 minutes and about $65.

as for your bill -- I'm not trying to make you feel bad, but the guy did jack you. $286 for the alt is reasonable (from a shop), but $142 in labor?? really, a licensed mechanic should be able to do this in 30 minutes, not 2 hours. $40 to "check things", huh? $14 in shop supplies?? what shop supplies? the tech doesn't even have to get his hands dirty. and hazardous waste???? not even sure what to say about that.

if it were me I'd report this guy to the local commerce commission, better business bureau, ASE, etc. I really hate to see people get ripped like this. but you live in DC which is full of liars and crooks so I guess this isn't so outrageous.

 

That $39.42 was for the lube job!! These wrenches suck big time!! That's why it pays to work on it yourself!!