97 QX4 Troubles! Please help.....warning lights and SES

[brent6017]

I recently purchased a 97 QX4, with only 53k on it. I got a sweet deal, because I talked the guy down-had an SES light on intermittent, fault code was for the EVAP system. So, I've been driving it for a week, with the light on planning on taking it in. Today, I started it, and noticed a little light flicker and a whine started from under the hood. I drove it to work, back, then to the gym, same noise. I got in and started it, and it seemed a bit sluggish to start, and now the Brake warning light, A/T Oil Temp Light and Battery light are on too, in addition to the SES. The trans fluid is fine, and there is nothing leaking at all. Is this an alternator problem? Could the whining noise be coming from a bad alternator? I wish this thing had a volt meter instead of the idiot light for the battery. Please help!!!!

[elwesso]

Welcome to NICO Brent... If your thinking about wasting money on getting a diagnosis, ill be glad to meet up with you and see if I notice something before you go and drop loot on something you may not need to.... Im up in Angola, but i will be coming thru fort wayne on friday.

HOWEVER, before we get to that, we can utilize the free things in life.... GET TO AUTOZONE!! You wont hear me say that much, except to get their free stuff.

They will pull your diagnostic codes for free, as well as doing an alternator/battery test. Write the diagnostic codes down and post them up here!

Believe it or not, their test equipment is some of the most sophisticated on the market! Its possible your battery is bad, depending on how old it is... Batteries usually last about 3-4 years max... They will be able to tell... Normally if you have a bad battery, you have to replace it before the alternator test will work! I would guess that its probably not been replaced, nissan batteries last a long time!

They will be able to tell you right away if your battery is bad... and if they say it is, replace it!

Report back with your findings... Do this during your lunch break, it doesnt take too long!

[brent6017]

Thanks for the advice. I usually go to Autozone and have them scan it for me, and this was done and came back with the evap code. I have been driving this for a week like this, but yesterday the troubles started. I don't think I can drive it anymore, there definitely is something strange going on under the hood noise wise. I don't think the battery is bad, it starts right up every time. I have a feeling the alternator is bad, hence the whining noise. The noise changes if you move the steering wheel left or right while parked,so I have a feeling its the alternator. I hate to pay for diagnostic, but I am worried about driving it with the A/T oil temp light on. This may be a side effect of another problem, but I don;t want to chance ruining the trans.

[elwesso]

normally the "christmas" lights come on whenever the alternator is going out.. if it was the only light on, id be concerned, but seeing that its one ofa few that are on, it probably something else. I too think it could be a bad alternator... The AT Temp shouldnt be high unless you've been towing or something, so i dont think id worry about that...

What code did they pull, im just curious... Do you have the actual code number?

[brent6017]

I had the alternator checked out, its bad.

I talked to Infiniti here, and they looked at the car and said the charcoal canister had come apart, and is all throughout the system in the valves and everything. They recommend changing the valve/canister and the other control valves along with it. This is a little over my head, so I am prob. going to have them change them. The alternator isn't a fun job, so I might have them change it as well. Thanks for the help.....I had a feeling it was the alternator.

[elwesso]

Meh... its not that hard, you could have another shop do it and save on labor. get your parts cheaper from Joe at infiniti of scottsdale, his contact info is in my sig!