I believe my alternator is on it's way out

[DoinkMobb]

I got the Low Battery Charge light about two weeks ago. Did a quick search and found it was probably related to the alternator. Now I'm getting some pretty noticeable alternator whine upon startup. It's starting to resonate through the speakers now. Awesome.

The battery is from July '07 so that should still be good. From what I could gather, a faulty alternator could shorten it's life dramatically. I just wonder how much time do I have to get a refurb unit and install it. Anybody have a good source for an OEM refurb alternator? Will my local Infiniti dealer have these on hand?

[Q45tech]

We replace 2-3 per month so it is so very common now with Q being 18-12 years old. Many are already on #2.

5 Dealers in ATL usually stock 3 to a half dozen and they can get them from warehouse in 3 days.

Buying one from IOS will get messy since you must pay to return core to IOS..............evaluate 20% discount vs both way freight.

[maxnix]

best source is

http://www.infinitipartsusa.com

[DoinkMobb]

best source is

http://www.infinitipartsusa.com

Ah thank you, I will check this out.

[Haitian_King]

best source is

http://www.infinitipartsusa.com

Buying one from IOS will get messy since you must pay to return core to IOS..............evaluate 20% discount vs both way freight.

Aren't those the same place?

[DoinkMobb]

I see a new one on infinitipartsusa.com for $307 but where can I find a rebuilt OEM one?

[maxnix]

I see a new one on infinitipartsusa.com for $307 but where can I find a rebuilt OEM one?

That is it.

Many 3rd paty rebuilds use old diodes, etc. Not a complete rebuild like Nissan.

It lasted 14 years? $20 per annum?

[SUB ZERO CAR FANATIC]

There is a guy on ebay who does rebuilt oem alternators,i believe the name of his company is EAGLE ELECTRIC. You can get one from him for around $80-$100 with a one year warranty. if your interested let me know ill get his # for you, i bought one from him for my 93 Q. hE DONE A GREAT JOB!!

SUBZEROCARFANATIC

[Q45tech]

Since it is difficult and time consuming to change think twice about replacement cost vs labor time.

Too many chain store cheapo rebuilds fail just at or just after warranty......they have it down to a science!

[RAP]

I see a new one on infinitipartsusa.com for $307 but where can I find a rebuilt OEM one?

Perhaps there is a starter/alternator, rebuild/repair re-condition ? shop in your area? Usually there are. Those guys/gals? obtain all they need in parts to work on alt/starters from somewhere. Or, if, it is a diode that is gone bad just buy a new one and install yourself. Alternators are a pretty easy fix from what I've noticed visiting a local shop. Actually seems to be a well kept secret all this mystery about starters and alternators. From my observation it is zipp zipp zipp with tha 3/8 drive impact tool to take apart, a bit of clean up and new parts and zipp zipp zipp back together again. Of course there are bearings that can be replaced, armatures and field coils that need to be checked and replaced IF needed. Then maybe the whole thing is tossed as uneconomical to repair. But diodes come on a board and can be easily R & R ed if that is the only problem

Living in a free trade, global economy it seems that "diodes", or other parts, that are installed in a Nissan sold alternator would be available to anyone with money to buy?

Then there is the added advantage of knowing your local repair person.

Now maybe after SHE is elected our PREZ all alternators will be issued with a FREE, gov furnished health care certificate??? Neva can tell.



Jack

[lino]

Now maybe after SHE is elected our PREZ all alternators will be issued with a FREE, gov furnished health care certificate??? Neva can tell.



Jack

[Q451990]

I highly recommend going with the OEM alternator. I actually rebuilt my alternator myself once. Replaced the front and rear bearings and the diode bridge. About a year later I had a stator that started shorting out intermittantly... It's just too much labor to do twice unless you are really cash strapped and feel lucky.

Heath

[maxnix]

Living in a free trade, global economy it seems that "diodes", or other parts, that are installed in a Nissan sold alternator would be available to anyone with money to buy?

In the age of cheap sub par Chinese imports, the difficult part is establishing the quality and the source of the componenets used.

The labor on a G50 VH45DE is not something you want to repeat. It's a piece of cake on a FGY33 VH41DE.

[DoinkMobb]

That is it.

Many 3rd paty rebuilds use old diodes, etc. Not a complete rebuild like Nissan.

It lasted 14 years? $20 per annum?

Egad. Well...hmmm.

I see an alternator from eagleautoelectric on ebay for $89.99 + $19.99 shipping.

vs.

Paying over $300 for a gin-you-wine OEM unit and having the peace of mind that it will work and definitely I won't have to do the labor twice.

SUBZERO - how long have you had your alternator from eagleautoelectric on your car now? Miles/months?

[qship96]

You are confusing price with cost

Subzero said in an earlier post he started up his car for the first time a few days ago!!! He has had the car a few years,in non running condition and has finally finished installing a jdm motor..a little premature for him to be giving advice on his rebuilt alternator{or engine rebuilding for that matter}Always consider the source before taking advice...

Smart people learn from their mistakes, the really smart people learn from the mistakes of others.

[captainluigi]

Those are wise words grampa.

[qship96]

Those are wise words grampa.

Dont you be aging me, you ole sea captain!! I dont even have children, much less grandchildren!!!!

[maxnix]

I dont even have children, much less grandchildren!!!!

That you know about!

[DoinkMobb]

You are confusing price with cost

Subzero said in an earlier post he started up his car for the first time a few days ago!!! He has had the car a few years,in non running condition and has finally finished installing a jdm motor..a little premature for him to be giving advice on his rebuilt alternator{or engine rebuilding for that matter}Always consider the source before taking advice...

Smart people learn from their mistakes, the really smart people learn from the mistakes of others.

Interesting. I was under the impression that he had owned this alternator for a while.

Anyway, the dude from Eagle Electric on ebay e-mailed me back saying he uses all OEM parts. If this guy's unit is truly 100% OEM, than am I just paying an extra $200 for the fact that a Nissan guy assembled the alternator rather than a guy on ebay? Can this guy actually get the same exact OEM-spec parts that Nissan uses?

[qship96]

That you know about!

Father was an OB-GYN, got "the talk" at an early age, and dinner conversation was quite unusual at times, especially as a high school kid when you had your girlfriend over for dinner!!!

[maxnix]

Got to hate it when they know all the proper Latin scientific names for the anatomy.

If the Eagle guy uses OEM or better parts, it may well work. Why don't you be our guinea pig? T-3 gave up after too many problems. But of course they can be rebuilt to OEM standards with care and correct component selection. Not nearly as precise or complicated as an automatic transmission.
Modified by maxnix at 10:00 PM 3/5/2008

[DoinkMobb]

If the Eagle guy uses OEM or better parts, it may well work. Why don't you be our guinea pig? T-3 gave up after too many problems. But of course they can be rebuilt to OEM standards with care and correct component selection. Not nearly as precise or complicated as an automatic transmission.

For a third of the price, I don't mind being a guinea pig. Either the damn thing will work, and there will be a viable alternative to the more expensive OEM unit or it will be a failure and further strengthen the case for Nissan's magic touch with alternators.

[Q451990]

Either the damn thing will work, and there will be a viable alternative to the more expensive OEM unit or it will be a failure and further strengthen the case for Nissan's magic touch with alternators.

Glad to see you're going in to it making an educated decision... and thanks for being our guinea pig! Keep in mind that the term "OEM" means different things to different segments of the automotive community. Anything from truely OEM to "OEM equivalent" to "it's the same as OEM."

Heath

[NightRiderQ45]

For a third of the price, I don't mind being a guinea pig. Either the damn thing will work, and there will be a viable alternative to the more expensive OEM unit or it will be a failure and further strengthen the case for Nissan's magic touch with alternators.

Well I purchased an altenator for my car from Advanced Auto Parts March 2005. It's March 2008 and 70K miles later, my car is still going strong. Oh and it was a little over $100 bucks too. OEM lasted for 7 years and this is 3 years and going....

[lino]

Out of curiosity, what brand did you buy?

[DoinkMobb]

Well I ordered it. I'll get some time to install it over Easter weekend.

[SUB ZERO CAR FANATIC]

I dont recall advising him to purchase a alternator from Eagle Auto Electric,i was simply trying to help him out,sounded like he was looking to purchase a alternator without paying 2 arms and a leg for it,as i was, so i refered him to someone who rebuilds oem ones with oem parts for about 1/3 of the price ,hell ill be a guinea pig too!! i also didnt give him any advice on rebuilding his motor, i stated before that this is the first Q ive owned and worked on,so i know i have a lot to learn about them, but i have worked on cars for several years,dont claim to be a seasoned veteran,then again you dont have to be old to know what your doing. some people like to judge people when they know nothing about them!!! i totaly agree with the comment you made at the end.we all make mistakes,you just have to learn from them. i appreciate all the help on nico, most people on here arent mechanics but that doesnt mean they cant help someone out,no one knows it all not even the older fellas! if you dont learn something everday your missing something! by the way i tried your drain and fill technique with the transmission!!!

[NightRiderQ45]

Out of curiosity, what brand did you buy?

I'm sorry, but I can't remember the brand...but it's still running strong so I can't complain about non-oem altenators.

[NightRiderQ45]

Well I ordered it. I'll get some time to install it over Easter weekend.

Ordered from who...eBay guy or OEM?

[Q45tech]

What might work [luck of the draw] for an individual is dangerous for a business who warranties parts and labor.

We would love to make $100 parts markup instead of $60 but the $40 would not cover the remote chance of a failure and the labor.