replacing alternator on 2002 Pathy....need tips and ideas

[Buzzman]

My alternator finally crapped out this morning.

I've searched the forum and haven't really found much re: replacing alternator on a 3.5 engine in a 2002 Pathy.

The alternator was whining and noisy the past few weeks, and after a burning smell this morning, all my warning lights came on.
Battery voltage while running is at about 9. I ran the rest of the day with it like that, and now have a charger on it.
I bought an alternator this afternoon, and it looks like a royal PITA to replace.

If anyone has done this, I'd appreciate some tips and direction before I proceed.

Thanks in advance.

[greengumby]

Still running the origional on my pathy..just wanted to wish you the best !

let us know how it went

[Buzzman]

Still running the origional on my pathy..just wanted to wish you the best !

let us know how it went

Hey, thanks.

FYI, I stopped by the dealership, and my local mechanic and asked about a price for just the labour.
The replacement book time is 1.8 hrs.
They also asked if I had a hoist. Ha. Like yea, everyone has a hoist in their driveway, right?
Apparently, it's easier to take it out the bottom than the top.
Sounds like fun.

[greengumby]

For an Alternator? almost 2 hrs ? thats nuts!

[greengumby]

tried to msg you but no luck

i found some tips from other pathy people on another forum....

http://www.nissanpathfinders.net/forum/ ... nator-r50/

Hope this helps

[Buzzman]

Thanks for the feedback.
Took a look through the other thread, but it pretty much relates to the 3.3 engines.
I took another look at my alternator location, and it definitely has to go out the bottom.
I can't see how it can possibly be replaced from the top.
Even from the bottom, some stuff will have to be removed, like the fan shroud for starters.
I can easily see why it books at 2 hours.
All this to say, that I decided not to do it myself. Can't be bothered at this point in time.
I've got it booked into my local mechanic for Monday morning. Let him fight with it.
In the meantime, it's pretty much un-drivable.
I took a chance today and took it out after charging the battery. Got halfway home and everything died. Zero juice left.
Had to call the wife to come and pick me up (she was pissed).
Took the battery out and brought it home to re-charge it.
I'm going back in the morning to get the truck.
Hopefully there's enough juice in the battery to get it home.
What a pain.

[Buzzman]

Just to put closure on this thread: picked up the truck today after getting the alternator (and serpentine belt) replaced.
All the dash warning lights are off and it's running again. Hurray.
I am definitely glad I had someone else do it.
First thing the tech said when I picked it up was, what a P.I.T.A.
Not a job to be done in the driveway.
Cheers.