Replacing alternator on a 1993 Q45

[MAC324]

I am trying to replace my alternator on a 1993 Q45. When I got the pan that covers the bottom of theengine off I noticed that the air-conditioningcompressor was directly below the alternator. Do Ihave to disconnect and remove the compressor or can Ijust unbolt it and move it out of the way to get thealternator replaced. I thought I would ask because ifit has to be disconnected then I will have to take itto a shop, but if I can just move it out of the waythen I can do it my self. Any advice wouldbe greatly appreciated.

Also, if there is a better way to do this, please tell me.

[maxnix]

Welcome to the club.

I suggest you read the posts in Infiniti Online Mechanic for a couple of successful strategies to tackle the change out, and how important it is to use an OEM replacement.

[3rd Q]

You can unbolt the A/C and swing it out of the way. Be sure to support or tie it up- do not let it hang by the lines!

Please follow Brian's recommendation and go OEM on the alternator. Once you do this, you won't want to tackle it again any time soon .

Good luck,Paul

[redmanfx]

The Alternator has 1 long bolt(14 or 15mm) and 1 one medium length bolt(14 or 15mm) that holds it in place. The medium bolt also has a back bracket that you'll need so don't loose it. Hold the Alternator when you get the bolts out because there are two little bolts holding a little top bracket in place. You can get to these from underneath and in back(10mm). (The alternator can now rest on the cross frame piece) There is also a ground wire attached on the top of the alternator via a small screw(mine was phillips) and a larger conector in a rubber boot that is the pos. wire to the battery that needs to be disconnected. Whala Alternator is off. Put all bolts, screws and the back bracket into baggie so you don't loose them.

You have to move the AC compressor out of the way or it's vertally impossible to get to all the alternator bolts and the top screws.

I suggest having the alternator rebuilt instead of getting new one. Rebuilts can be as low as $100 or you can buy a brand new one. I personally would stay away from used alternators unless they have been tested thoroughly to make sure the diodes are good.

I just rebuilt my alternator and it sucks putting the alternator and compressor back in my opinion of course I was just being safe and had my alternator looked at since I had the front of my 92 Q apart and good thing I did. A diode was bad I didn't even know about so my frined showed my how to replace it, the two bearings(one small, one bigger) and the brushes. Cost me like $60 bucks not $300!

Since you have you're belts off check the idler pulley bearings by holding the middle of the pulley and spinning them once removed from bracket. Very good thing to check while you're there. They do freeze and krimp up. Just replaced all my idler bearings as well. $20 for set of 4. Can't beat that with a stick!!

Best of luck and DIYR's rule!!