'01 Maxima alternator/battery problem

[Buzzman]

My son has an '01 Maxima that died recently. I got it going (boosted it), and checked it out, and it looked like the battery was shot (it was old). New battery, and it ran fine for 4 days, until it died again. Same symptoms. Lights going dim, all the dash warning lights lit up, etc.Took it in to a shop and they replaced the alternator.Question is, what's a decent price for an alternator on one of these things, and more importantly, if the alternator was shot, should he not have had a warning light of some kind go on? Either a check engine light, or some kind of idiot light? Even my old '84 Buick had an idiot light for the alternator.Ended up paying close to $400.00 for the part, plus labour and a new belt.Thanks.

[MinisterofDOOM]

$400 sounds about right for new OEM installed.

There is indeed an idiot light for it, but really the usual symptom is the dash lights going crazy like you describe. The "real" indicator is the battery charge light on the dash, which has a picture of a battery on it. It'll come on when alternator voltage drops low enough, so you can usually watch it glow and fade as you rev the engine (fades as the revs climb). Often it's accompanied by a misbehaving e-brake light as well.

Nice avatar, by the way. My dad had an E-type just like that when he was younger--same color even.

[Buzzman]

Thanks for the info. Sounds exactly like what happened.Good to know the price is right.Yea, I really like the e-type Jag. One of my all time favourite cars.Someday I'm going to have one. Preferably Series I, 1966.I don't really like the last series V12's as much.Did anyone watch Barrett-Jackson last week by the way? I love it.My wife can't understand why I would watch that stuff for 10 hours.Oh well. It's a guy thing I guess.