alternator issue

[Jehangir]

Well the Q gods are frowning on me again. The other day I started my car and it turned over fine. I noticed the brake warning light come on very dim in my dash. I kept driving without any problems the rest of the way to work (about 2 miles). After working my 12 hour shift I started my car again and the same symptoms. As I neared my house (again a 2 mile trip). My dash lights started to get dimmer and dimmer. Soon the ABS warning light came on and the LED read "Low battery charge." Now I've known my battery is nearing its shelf life so I went to autozone and replaced my battery today. My car drove fine for another 10 miles or so with the dimmly light brake warning light. And then same sequelae of events followed. I have searched previous threads and it seems like this is what happens in our Q's when the alternator goes. So I placed my order with Joe.

Anyone here replaced their alternator in the Q before. All tips are welcome, but firsthand experience would be most appreciated. Also how long do you think I have before my car completely dies? And Lastly, can I damage any of my electronics by driving my car with a weak battery?Thanks for reading and I look forward to your suggestions.....

[Jehangir]

Oops I forgot to mention this is a 92 active Q.

[GreenQ45a]

Yes I have done this job before...

I did a small write up on it :

zerothread?id=123915

Hope it helps..

If you need any help just ask...

[maxnix]

Probably killing your alternator. Get your system tested by a competent automotive electronics expert.

[Jesda]

Before installing any battery, charge it overnight! Replace your negative cable (might as well, its easy) and clean the ground.

[elwesso]

Just FYI I merged this with the one in the online mechanic and this will be moved to the online mechanic!!!!

J, just to give you a quick outline how to do it, simply take off the fan so that you can then take out the radiator. Once thats out, loosen the belt, you dont have to take it off but loosen it plenty..... After you do that, remove the bolts holding the alternator in. From there you can simply pull the alternator out (i use that loosely because mine had a hard time coming out), undo all the connectors and stuff, and repeat.....

[Jehangir]

Great Post!I started my project today. I have removed the fan shroud, the battery, and have loosened the top bolt.So, now here is the problem. The bolt on the right lower side of the alternator is just turning but is not unscrewing. just turning and turning and turning and turning. Uh...now what?

[elwesso]

Can you just pull it out?

[Jehangir]

the alternator just seems to spin around the bolt. Although it is turning pretty easily. I'll try to just pull it out but that didn't work before. What is that bolt attached to. Does it screw it into an engine part or is there a nut back there somewhere?

[Jehangir]

Wes what did you mean "yours was hard to pull out"

[GreenQ45a]

Its a nut you'll find it after you remove the alternator. I found it easiest to super glue it back on the new alternator. Its square and it fits in place and shouldn't spin once you get it started.

[Jehangir]

is it a long screw, because I've been turning it awhile

[Jehangir]

Okay, I think the lock nut in the back of the through bolt is turning when I turn the bolt. So I have decided to remove the compressor. I have loosened the idler pully but the belt is still not comming off. Also I have removed three bolts from the comprssor. 2 from underneathe the car and one bolt from the front of the comprsser, right below the alternator. But the damn thing still doesn't budge. Am I not seeing another bolt? Also if I remove the comprssor will I be able to see the lock nut behind the through bolt? Please help!

[maxnix]

From a very recent thread:

For the Active Q45 I would just recommend that you:

• Remove all plastic cladding from the radiator area and under the car.

• Remove the Fan, Battery, Radiator and Alternator Belt.

• Loosen the A\C compressor’s belt all the way.

• Unbolt the front main accumulator (from the bottom) Move aside.

• Unbolt the Transmission Filter, Move aside (it has lots of play)

• Unbolt the front right active line (under the A\C compressor).

Then you’re finally ready to get started!

First the A\C Compressor drop (lowering)

• Unbolt the top rear A\C compressor bolt 1st • Then the top front A\C compressor bolt• Next the two bottom bolts.• All 4 bolts are 14 mm• (I choose to loosen the A\C belt all the way and leave it in place to support the front of the A\C compressor.)• Lower the A\C compressor.

Now the Alternator

• Unbolt the Main Pass-through bolt.• Unbolt the brace from above the alternator.• Loosen the top alternator bolt (Do not remove!)• Use a LONG flat screw drive or clip releaser on the alternator's wire harness retainer clip (look up from under the car right next to the A\C compressor)• Cut any zip ties that may be in the way (OEM) • Now pry the alternator to the left to loosen the grip it has on the hanging flange.• One it can swing back & forth it should be time to try to remove it.

Most people seem to try to remove it from the bottom after doing an A\C drop.On the Active Q45 there’s a lot of Pipework in the way.I found it easer to remove it from the front after lowering the A\C compressor.(It seemed to unbind everything.)

• If you have an inch of play it is time to unbolt the top alternator bolt.• You can then twist the alternator to the right and left an inch or so and pull it through.• You should have 6-10 inches of play in the alternator harness (plenty of room to unbolt it)• Watch out for the wire harness heat shield it will get caught up.• Make sure to check your water pump weeping hole for any leaks while your there.

Reinstall in reverse order after cleaning up that entire area with a cleaner of your choice (I like Greased lighting it foams up the color of the fluids you’re cleaning up)

*Place the top rear A\C compressor bolt last but do not tighten the other three until you have installed the Top Rear one!!!

This is just my way of doing it.

[Jehangir]

Thanks Guys,But "Uncle". I have now realized I'm over my head. I called the dealer with my tail between my legs and they quoted me $204.00 for labor to put this alternater in. So I made my appointment for next Friday. I then decided to put everything back. It seemed like I had removed half of the things under my hood. Amazingly I didn't have any leftover screw/bolts etc. which is completely unbelievable for me as I live by the 10% rule. (if I have 10% of the parts left when I have everything together I'm OK). But nothing left over. When I went to start the car it started fine and none of the warning lights came on in my dash. I wonder if I fixed my problem? Maybe I just deferred it. Hmmmm, Let me know your thoughts..

[Q451990]

My alternator failure was intermittant one time... had a bad spot (short) on the stator... it will probably return - but if not by next friday you could put off the appointment and see...

Heath

[off2sobe]

Don't be too hard on yourself...replacing mine left me scarred for life. It was that freaking little bolt that attaches the plastic heat shield that just about did me in. I did mine without taking any of the suspension or air conditioning loose. When I had to replace my motor mounts it became clear that using this method is probably easier/faster, although it doesn't appear that way from the first observation.

[Jehangir]

Well Folks, I just got my car back from the dealer after they replaced my alternator. Interestingly, they checked the alternator this morning and they told me nothing was wrong with it. I asked them how they deduced that. To which they replied, " the volt on the battery are fine." I then asked them about the amps. The service manager said they cannot check the amp with their instrument. I told them to hold on and spoke with someone at Infiniti of Scottsdale. The mechanic there told me to trust the Infiniti dealership for they are supposed to be the authority. But he couldn't give me a better answer because he couldn't inspect the car. I guess that makes sense. Anyway, I insisted the my alternator be replaced. THe dealership complied. Now lets see if I wasted my money. I guess I'll never know, but atleast I have peace of mind huh. Eitherway the hoopty is running great! Just an update

[Q451990]

Probably had an intermittant issue like mine... better to replace early than be stranded on a rainy Saturday night...

Heath

[PoorManQ45]

I asked them how they deduced that. To which they replied, " the volt on the battery are fine." I then asked them about the amps. The service manager said they cannot check the amp with their instrument.

I simple volt/multi meter can be used to test the alternator. A proper running OEM alternator on the Q45 should have a no load(electronics off) voltage between 14 and 15 volts. Lower then that and either there's something drawing current(lights) or the alternator is on its way out.