signs of alternator going bad?
#1
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signs of alternator going bad?
What are some signs of an alternator going bad?
in the past 2 weeks my alternator will make some weird high pitch noise. It almost sounds like a supercharger from a GTP car.
When I open the hood and get close to the alternator, I get a slight smell of something burning.
The thing is that it doesn't do it all the time, out of those last 2 weeks only had the noise 2 days and a week away from each time. It usually goes away after I drive the car for about 20 minutes.
If is not my alternator what else can it be?
in the past 2 weeks my alternator will make some weird high pitch noise. It almost sounds like a supercharger from a GTP car.
When I open the hood and get close to the alternator, I get a slight smell of something burning.
The thing is that it doesn't do it all the time, out of those last 2 weeks only had the noise 2 days and a week away from each time. It usually goes away after I drive the car for about 20 minutes.
If is not my alternator what else can it be?
#6
It's definitely the alternator going bad. The smell starts first then comes the noise. I've been through 3 of them. I finally went up to a custom build 200 amp alternator with a smaller pulley.
#7
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coo thx guys!
Well yeah it does smells like burning rubber. I took my car to the Nissan dealer about a year ago to check the recall, but they said that my car wasn't one of the ones with the problem.
Im gonna play dumb and take it to several places, maybe I can get it replaced for free.
Well yeah it does smells like burning rubber. I took my car to the Nissan dealer about a year ago to check the recall, but they said that my car wasn't one of the ones with the problem.
Im gonna play dumb and take it to several places, maybe I can get it replaced for free.
#8
Originally Posted by 1FSTMAX
Hey danny, I would suggest calling Nissan USA to see if you Maxima falls under the alt recall or call your local nissan dealer..
#11
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well the signs are in fact true. My alternator died today while I was on my way home from work.
I had my A/C and my stereo on then, the car felt like if it was about to turn off. and the clock was fading.
I turned my A/C and system off, and I made it home
So if you guys hear this noise, you know what it is now
I had my A/C and my stereo on then, the car felt like if it was about to turn off. and the clock was fading.
I turned my A/C and system off, and I made it home
So if you guys hear this noise, you know what it is now
#13
Originally Posted by sagamax
i think only 98 years fell under the recall. but sounds like its definately your alternator going.
sagamax: '97 and '98 Maximas manufactured 2/97 thru 2/98 were affected by the alternator recall
mine was manufactured 1/98 so it was time for a new alternator
#14
The dealer said my car was part of the recall too so they replaced it. Then like 2 months down the road, the lights on the dash and ac/bose display were faint. The clock was faded as well. It would happen for like a couple of mins and then all the lights would be fully lit. The car began cranking slowly too so I got the dealer to check it out. Said the alternator failed
Although, I had a bad habit of turning on the a/c to full heat, use the side mirror/rear window defroster, and having the headlights turned on immediately after starting the car which was sitting all morning. Our winters get cold and starting work at 5am didn't help either so I was doing this every morning.
However, this 3rd alternator seems ok, no issues so far!
Although, I had a bad habit of turning on the a/c to full heat, use the side mirror/rear window defroster, and having the headlights turned on immediately after starting the car which was sitting all morning. Our winters get cold and starting work at 5am didn't help either so I was doing this every morning.
However, this 3rd alternator seems ok, no issues so far!
#15
Anyone ever had any problems with a 99 max alternator? Cuz i get the same problem, except i dont smell any burning. Its rather a high pitch sound coming from the engine bay, obviously the alternator.
I have HID's, and 200 leds, and got the system bumping, could my alternator be dieing? I do notice that when i turn on the lights, this is when the high pitched sound gets louder. Or...could it be the ballasts from my hids?
What do u guys think? Should i bring it down to nissan?
I have HID's, and 200 leds, and got the system bumping, could my alternator be dieing? I do notice that when i turn on the lights, this is when the high pitched sound gets louder. Or...could it be the ballasts from my hids?
What do u guys think? Should i bring it down to nissan?
#19
Guys, would it be possible for me to hear that whine, go have it checked out at Autozone and it check out fine, and it still be dying?
I heard that a couple of weeks ago. I first noticed it because my car took a couple of times to crank, and it usually doesn't do that. Anyway, I took it into Autozone to get them to check my battery, alternator, and codes. None of them showed being bad. There were no codes, and for that I am thankful. There was plenty of juice in my battery, and the alternator was supposedly putting out enough juice to all the accessories.
What do you think?
I don't hear that whine all the time, but I think I heard it some a little while back.
I heard that a couple of weeks ago. I first noticed it because my car took a couple of times to crank, and it usually doesn't do that. Anyway, I took it into Autozone to get them to check my battery, alternator, and codes. None of them showed being bad. There were no codes, and for that I am thankful. There was plenty of juice in my battery, and the alternator was supposedly putting out enough juice to all the accessories.
What do you think?
I don't hear that whine all the time, but I think I heard it some a little while back.
#21
I know, I used that to check it.
They came out and did all of that.
What do you think when they didn't find anything wrong?
I have not heard the whine again, but I have had a couple of times that it rolls over about twice before it cranks right up.
I don't know what is up with that.
They came out and did all of that.
What do you think when they didn't find anything wrong?
I have not heard the whine again, but I have had a couple of times that it rolls over about twice before it cranks right up.
I don't know what is up with that.
#23
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well Bruce my took about two weeks to die since I first herd that noise. It was giving all my accessories enough juice, but something was about to happen, and it did. I just got my alternator right now, and I'm going to go change it right now.
BRB..
AFK...
BRB..
AFK...
#25
I have had the whine noise since i bought the car at 129000 miles. Now i am at 136000 whine is still there but everything works just fine. Car cranks at first try, volts are fine too.
Both belts are new, not tight just right.
I have even taken the car upto 108 MPH without overheating problems so i know the water pump is fine too.
I can't figure where the whine is coming from.
Both belts are new, not tight just right.
I have even taken the car upto 108 MPH without overheating problems so i know the water pump is fine too.
I can't figure where the whine is coming from.
#26
Damnit! How did I miss this thread? I had all these symptoms (including Brake and Battery lights on) but thought it was the pulley and belts making the noise. Nissan did too and replaced the idler pulley and belts and then told me "we heard this new noise afterwartd, sounds like your alternators going" which is bullsh!t becuase it's the exact same noise. They didn't fix anything and they're trying to charge me for the parts and labor, on top of the new alternator I have to buy. I'm not gonna let them get away with it!
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?p=3078942
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?p=3078942
#27
I had a similar thing happen. Had rubber burning smell. Drove that day. The next turned on my car and same rubber smell. Turned on the lights and and everything else dimmed and my radio completely turned off. Barely made it home. After the car wouldnt start. Checked the voltage on the batter it was 11.6v. Any ideas
#28
I had a similar thing happen. Had rubber burning smell. Drove that day. The next turned on my car and same rubber smell. Turned on the lights and and everything else dimmed and my radio completely turned off. Barely made it home. After the car wouldnt start. Checked the voltage on the batter it was 11.6v. Any ideas
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