95Q Alternator Resistor

[zekedog]

Search provided no help. I replaced my engine in my Q. Alternator was not working upon completion of the job. Went through 2 alternators from O'reilly's and everytime I returned them they tested them and said they were "bad." They then tested 2 more new ones they had and they tested bad...these were "rebuilt new." Anyway, installed my third that I got from Napa. I watched them test this one and it was putting out 14.8 volts on their machine. Installed it. Then took the car to Infiniti of Nashville to have them run diagnostics. No codes, but they said my alternator was bearly putting out any volts. I ran a new ground off the alternator hoping that I had a bad ground. No luck. Took the Napa alternator to Autozone and they tested it on their new alt tester. Tested fine. Went back to my shop manual. Section EL-17 shows a "alternator resistor"? Does anyone know where this thing is located and what it does? Thanks. KG

[maxnix]

Check the posts. Anything but OEM alternators are junk. Rebuilds use old failing diodes. The four failed ones are a serious clue.

Learn the procedure well as you will be repeating it soon.

[Q45tech]

Just like WMART, chain discount auto stores have destroyed the domestic electric component rebuilders..............

What do they have to lose they just keep giving you another [back charging the supplier] and some poor child in China/ Vietnam / Bangladesh eventually gets beaten and does without food for a week as punishment.........all the while rebuilding your alternators.........he does the best he can with the parts he is given.............thank you American for my bowl of rice today.

[zekedog]

I agree with your assessment of the rebuilds. The Infiniti service tech told me that what they would sell me was also a rebuilt and he did not know by whom. Who does the rebuilds for Nissan/Infiniti and how do we know it's not the same half-asses, child labor abusing company set up in a third world rice bowl? Does Nissan actually have their own division that does their rebuilds for alternators, starters, and other electronic parts?

Back to my original question... what is the alternator resistor, where is it, what happens if if goes bad? Thanks!

[Q45tech]

There is no alternator resistor [at least externally to the unit.....the internal regulators have a few inside IC].

The Hitachi made oem Alternator is remanned by Japanese Hitachi Factory......cores are returned to Japan.

My guess based on seeing HUNDREDS of these units over the last 10 years is they are really all new [or at at least most are so perfect they look brand new............examine them with a magnifier look for scrapes scratches you won't find any from a sealed box. Examine the Bosch and other brands it will make you ill by comparison.

My oem lasted to 235k [bearings noisey didn't fail] by CURRENT replacement has 95k having been recovered from a wreck which was rewrecked soon after a almost total rebuild. My SPARE again from a wreck has 25k...............so I'm prepared for everything with my spare starter, all fans, all window,seat, sunroof, and wiper motors.

[elwesso]

there IS an alternator resistor. It is located on top of the ASCD computer which is behind the trim panel under the steering wheel, where the "mr. happy vent" is. Look at harness connector M54 in the service manual

[Q45tech]

If you will look closely at the schematic you will see the resistor has nothing to do with the operation of the alternator.

The resistor is there to allow the diagnostic panel to function

Notice there is no test procedure in alternator section just in diagnostic section.

Regardless a proper alternator diagnostic test set will reveal all faults