My alternator caught on fire, it seems like the positive contact wasnt tightened enough on the alt. and it was arching and finally caught the rubber seal on fire...no damage really. I also am having problems with my door lights and guages, they dont light up and i think i have a bad ground somewhere, but where should i look???

 

try fuse block first

 

there was a recall for the alternators catching on fire. If the alternator was the original nissan one and you still have it and the car was never brought in for the recall, you could get the money for the altenator you bought.
.
If you need the wiring diagram, download it here -
http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/maxima/

 

that sucks man. is there anyway that your insurance company will cover that?

 

no, there wasnt any damage really. but i traded the guy at the junk yard 2 alloy wheels for the alt. so there wasnt any warranty...and thanks, ill check my fuse block today. and it was an original nissan alternator! haha. if i took it to a dealership would they replace it?

 

^^^i would like to know this as well, incase i have my original alt. and since my car is 11yrs old...

 

Just take it to the dealership and they'll replace that recalled alternator for free.

 

This recall must not have been for all 95's. I bought mine new late 94, am still on the original alternator, and never received an alterator recall notice.

 

I never received the notice for my 98 maxima. They replaced the recalled alternator for free when I braught it in for inspection at a dealership 5 years ago. It already had at least 85,000 miles on it.

 

The recall was specific to '97 and some '98 Maximas.

 

the recall has expired, i called nissan and they said there wasnt any recall, but right now theyre looking in the archives for one. maybe theyll let u bring it in. when they make a recall they set certain dates for you to bring in your vehicle and if you didnt do it then, i dont think they can do anything...

 

i just called and got the same story. my 98 has 197k on it and the alternator just started smoking a lot and probably would have caught fire if i let it go any longer. i found some vin specific info online and my serial number was included, but i guess the recall expired. may look around a little more but it looks like it's new alternator time.

anyone know if a 96 alternator will work on a 98?