My 97 Q45t alternator

[japaneseq]

Took my Q to Advance to check battery and alternator.

Battery is good but alternator has excessive riple.

Do I need to replace alternator??

Is this cause service engine soon light to come on??

[Epod]

I don't know the answer to your question, but there was a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) regarding *some* alternators on 1997 and 1998 Qs. If your Q is one of the ones covered on the TSB, and if you've still got the factory alternator, then I believe that Infiniti will replace it for free.

If you flail around with the search function here, I think you'll find the details, or you could email Infiniti USA with your VIN and ask if your Q is covered, and if their records suggest that they haven't already replaced your alternator.

Alternately, you could ask your local dealer to print a service history for your car...which you'll want to do sooner or later anyway, since it will have other info about other history. If you go to the dealer, you might want to find the details of the TSB here first...I think the TSB came out around 2002 (?), so the service writers have probably forgotten about it by now.

[Epod]

You can find the details about two-thirds of the way down this thread:

zerothread?id=372447

it's "Voluntary Safety Recall Campaign R2009"

.

[maxnix]

All TSB are at

http://www.infininti-techinfo.com

For a one day fee of $20.

Remember, dealers don't owe you jack, so use some excellent social engineering skills. There are posts on this aspect of dealer realtions.

[japaneseq]

Thanks for your information but mine is early 97 and not apply.

[maxnix]

As I recall, 1997 FGY33 and Maxima both had alternator recalls.

In any case, if yours is toast, get the real Nissan remanufactured ones from

http://www.infinitipartsusa.com

and not other 3rd party half arsed rebuilders that national auto parts franchises sell.

[NightRiderQ45]

As I recall, 1997 FGY33 and Maxima both had alternator recalls.

In any case, if yours is toast, get the real Nissan remanufactured ones from

http://www.infinitipartsusa.com

and not other 3rd party half arsed rebuilders that national auto parts franchises sell.

It's a hit and miss. My oem alternator lasted 7 years. The alternator I purchased from Advance Auto is working 4 years and counting... I recently did a no load/load test and my "half built" alternator is kicking out 13.86V with load and 13.96V without load which is great. If I can get three more years out of it, I will be ok especially for the price vs oem. I'm quite sure that my alternator will last longer than the oem.

[qship96]

Cheapie rebuilds generally have a short lifespan- a small percentage of them may last a long time, but it is a poor gamble when you factor in the labor costs and inconvenience of a break-down. Genuine nissan part is only about $200-230 last time I looked for the G50.

My factory original is still going strong at 13 years and just under 229,000 miles.

[maxnix]

The alternator I purchased from Advance Auto is working 4 years and counting... I recently did a no load/load test and my "half built" alternator is kicking out 13.86V with load and 13.96V without load which is great.

Actually it should be over 14V, but as OP noted, it's really the ripple waveform that is a better indicator.

VH41DE moved the alternator into the V above the engine, hence more heat soak and shorter life than VH45DE with the alternator slung low under engine, provided it is cleaned periodically and the splash shield is in place.

[Infinitiguy19]

Actually it should be over 14V, but as OP noted, it's really the ripple waveform that is a better indicator.

VH41DE moved the alternator into the V above the engine, hence more heat soak and shorter life than VH45DE with the alternator slung low under engine, provided it is cleaned periodically and the splash shield is in place.

How does one clean the alternator without removing the bottom engine cover?

[japaneseq]

Here 's charging system test result.

No load 14,14V 2.5A Load 13.97V 5.4A

0.24V ------- -0.24V Ripple 356mV

Can you tell me what is wrong with my alternator???

[maxnix]

How does one clean the alternator without removing the bottom engine cover?

Compressed air, but much easier when it is off for an oil change.

[NightRiderQ45]

Actually it should be over 14V

Actually the normal voltage range for an alternator with load is 13.5-14.5V range. With the age of mine and the numbers that came off of it, I'm happy. Anything below 13V, then you will have issues.

For the OP, I really don't know what is wrong because the alternator seems fine as far as the voltage.

[qship96]

FSM shows alternator output at 14.1-14.7 volts. Cheapie chain store rebuilds may differ?

[Q45tech]

Ripple is caused by 1 or more defective diodes [there may be 3 or 6].

Usual ripple is 50-100 mV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://labscopes.com/pg09.htm

The voltage varies slightly with the internal temperature of alternator to help compensate for battery recharge requirements as its temp varies.

[japaneseq]

You are so right.

I took alternator out and getting fixed!!

Thanks

[Q45tech]

If owners would just learn one thing or area and become expert in it.

Like how to buy and use a VOLT OHM METER.

The same rules apply with buying test euipment as car parts: AVOID CHEAP JUNK which is inaccurate at best brand new and only gets worse with age.

Multiple decimals are important as the entire range from worthless to perfect can be just .5 volt or .5 a megohm.You can blow a fuse with 1/2 an ampere too much current.