alternator over charging my battery

[joe06mu]

I have alternator problems in my 1994 Infiniti J30 (bought alternator last yr in May)but it is over-charging my battery and I now have to buy another one. Any ideas as to why it happened so fast? Some guy in Napa Auto parts told me he may have it re-wound for me because if he can't find refurbished ones.

[Defiant]

Was the old replacement new, or rebuilt? Sadly, rebuilt alternators and starters often have a terrible survival rate- or, those are the ones you always hear about. It comes down to what specific shop is doing the rebuilding for the outlet, and how good their people and choices of replacment parts are.And, brand-new alternators also have the occasional infant mortality.

Power steering fluid will destroy an alternator in a short time, and in very small quantities.

[driverdriver]

Did you use an OEM Nissan alternator?

Non Nissan alternators are known not to last (and also give electrical problems) in the J. Numerous J owners on this board have had headaches with aftermarket alternators. Stick to Nissan OEM.

[joe06mu]

I don't know what kind of alternator I put in last yr. It was inslalled at Firestone. This time, i still don't know what kind has been installed. Next time, i'll be more inquisitive! How does power sterring harm the alternator? I asked the mechanic why the alternator starts acting up but he didn't know. all they saw was that it was charging my battery too much.Thnks.

[Defiant]

How does power sterring harm the alternator?

Power steering fluid. It destroys the insulation on the windings, and will attack the components of the regulator and bridge diode.

[AlphaKilo470]

Explains alot... The alternator that came with my J died last week and I pulled it today. It was a rebuilt after market covered in power steering fluid from the time my p/s line busted. Triple whammy!

BTW, before I bought my J and started having to do work on it, I never thought being stick thin and 5' 6" would be a good thing. Working on the car is easy and sort of fun once I'm able to get under the dang thing.

[liquidJ30]

ugh!! i hated working around under the hood... SOOOO cramped! my favorite is sitting on the wheel wells inside the hood while working on old chevy's, now thats roomy ..... but ya, glad to hear you found the problem

[AlphaKilo470]

Only problem with working under my J is that I always get sleepy the second I crawl under there. When parked on smooth concrete, under my J30 is the perfect napping place.

Hmm,it just struck me that not only is the alternator under the engine but it's near the road and next to the p/s line. Geez, maybe all the crap that flew into it because of it's placement is the cause of death for my alternator. Well, at least it's an easy part to pop out and replace.
Modified by AlphaKilo470 at 9:58 PM 9/17/2007