2002 Pathfinder Stalling Issue

[StevoDevo]

Hi Guys,

I've got a problem with my Pathfinder and wanted to see if you guys had ever experienced something similar, or whether you think my solution is the correct one!

Over the past few weeks, I've noticed the electrical system lacking a bit of power intermittently. So things like the power windows were working very slowly, or the seats were moving slowly. The next thing to happen is that the ABS and Air Bag light would come on for a while and it would seem like the engine was about to stall.

Next the engine would stall, and then it wouldn't restart - would sound like the battery was flat. So I would jump start the car, and it would drive for a bit, then it would die again.

I thought maybe the battery was bad - so replaced the battery on Wednesday and it ran great. Turned over nice and hard, everything ran perfectly! However by Sunday, I started noticing the same symptoms! And then Monday it stalled and wouldn't start without a jump.

Last night, I checked the battery and the charge was low so I hooked it up overnight to a trickle charger and it started up just fine again this morning!

Would you guys think this I have a bad alternator? Is there anyway to test the alternator before I replace it? I like doing these things myself, so hoping to get some advice before I proceed!!

Steve

[04pathse]

Do you have a voltmeter / multimeter?

With the engine running you should have a reading around 14 volts or so at the battery posts if the alternator is good.

[atraudes]

It really sounds like the alternator. Hook up a multimeter to the battery and start the car. It should be between 13.8 and 15.3 volts. If it's significantly outside that range I'd be comfortable in saying you've got a dead alternator. You'll probably also see the voltage drop as the engine runs.

[StevoDevo]

Great idea - so I hooked it up and took a reading when the car was idle (12.5v), then fired up the car and the voltage actually dropped slightly to 12.1v and then down to 11.9v!

So dead alternator right?! How tough are these things to change out??

-Steve

[atraudes]

Sounds like an open and shut case to me. The only other thing I can think of is to check connections and wires as much as possible. The alternator being disconnected (for whatever reason) could cause this. Check for things like melted or frayed wires. I want to say there's a large 120 or so amp fusible link that's the primary connection between the alternator and the rest of the car. If that's blown then you have a short circuit somewhere. I think it's in the electrical box where the battery's positive lead runs into.

The electrical section of the FSM will probably be of help.

I've heard some people say replacing them isn't too bad, some say they're a pain in the neck. I'd say if you're comfortable with your assortment of tools and have some patience and time, go for it. A couple of people have written about it here so do some searching to get a complete picture, but here's one I remember stumbling on.

If your alternator is oily or wet at all, figure out what's leaking on it and fix that first. Oil or water leaking onto an alternator will kill it in a hurry.

Good luck!

[Buzzman]

Definitely the alternator.
From personal experience, it's a royal pain to replace.
You have to do it from the bottom. Getting it out from the top is almost impossible.
I ended up buying the part, and then paying my local mechanic to replace it for a flat rate.
He was not happy once he got into it.

[StevoDevo]

Hi guys

So I haven't swapped out my alternator yet but have just been charging the battery each night.

Is it a problem to be driving around with the alternator not working?

Steve

[Buzzman]

Hi guys

So I haven't swapped out my alternator yet but have just been charging the battery each night.

Is it a problem to be driving around with the alternator not working?

Steve

It's not worth the risk of getting stranded.
I did that for a little while, but then my battery kept failing earlier and earlier.
If you keep running down the battery and recharging it every night, then it will die quicker each time.
Near the end of my saga, I was lucky to drive 15 miles before the truck would die again.
I replaced both the alternator and the battery as a result.
If you insist on doing this, then I'd keep a spare (fully charged) battery in the truck with you.

[StevoDevo]

Thanks for the tips guys. I just took the car into the shop on Friday. The mechanic said it was the hardest alternator he's ever had to remove! But now it's running great again!! Glad I didn't try to replace it myself!