Likely bad alternator in 240sx

[Yossarian]

Last night I went out driving in my 1996 240sx for the first time in a couple of weeks, and was dismayed to find two diagnostic lights on (battery and another I cant remember). After a moment the airbag light came on, then the car stuttered and died.

I was able to jump it to attempt to drive back to park somewhere, but it would not run more than a moment. We jumped and left the cables on for a few minutes and I was able to drive it back to my parking lot, but it died as I was pulling in. The entire way my gauges were dead, and my lights seemed to be underperforming.

I took in my battery today, and sure enough it was nearly dead, but they said that the battery itself is fine. Everyone I have talked to suggests that I have a bad alternator. I was wondering what the likelyhood of this is.

Autozone suggested that I pull out my alternator and bring it in for them to test, but I'm not sure where to find it in my car. I have a pretty good knowledge of working with cars, but I am young and this is my first experience with an alternator, i need to know where to start.

[Touchdown038]

I'm not sure about the S14, but I know on the S13s it is right to the left of the crank pulley. Look way down in the engine on the left side and you should see it.

[Yossarian]

is it very easy to remove and change if its in the same spot? I dont have access to a garage, so I'll have to be doing it from the hood.

Do you think it is the alternator that is the problem? Is there anything else I should investigate?

[NISTECH]

no your altenator is shot. You have to pull it out through the bottom. no room to pull it through the top unless you pull radiator hoses. its pretty easy to remove just becarful not to loose the spin nut on the back of the alt for the long pivot bolt. then there is a 12mm bolt on top for the adjuster.little hint here loosen the adjuster bolt from the side before you loosen the 12mm lock down bolt from the front top side. its easier to spin it out by hand without the tension of the belt pulling it against the braket. then undo the 12mm lock bolt from the front. there is 2 bolted on wires on the back one 10mm and one 8mm bolt. and a 2 wire plug. once all that is disconected fish it out through the bottom. make sure your battery is disconnected when you do it.

Btw its on the passenger side of the engine near the bottom.

[fiznat]

yeaup, and be careful backing that tightener bolt out. when I changed my belts I broke one of the tensioner bolts on the power steering pump, and the local Nissan dealership told me it would cost $60 for just the bolt! At the same time they said that I should be glad I didnt break the alternator bolt assembly thing, cause that costs $150!

...not to say that you cant find another bolt someplace, but you dont want to deal with that garbage: just be careful.