Battery/Alternator Issues

[xterraminator]

So on the weekend the battery would not hold a charge eventually causing the battery to die. When I got a boost the battery would charge up then slowly die as I drove for about 10-15 min. I know the battery is good. When the truck is off the battery voltage is 11.59. When the truck is on the battery voltage s 11.59 It should be around 14V. I checked the fuses and they are ok. Pulled the alternator out and when I pulled it apart it appears the diode/brushes/ic regulator is not removeable. I assume I have to buy a new alternator? Other ideas.

 

[Roadwarrior]

Upgrade to a Nissan Quest Alternator, the 00-01s are the best, you'll never regret it.

 

[Prime]

Upgrade to a Nissan Quest Alternator, the 00-01s are the best, you'll never regret it.

Yep.

Alternator time.

 

[Prime]

Although I have to say, save yourself the headache and buy a new one. You'll spend more money, but the the "reconditioned" or "rebuilt" ones from the parts stores are crap. I'll never buy another one unless it's a dire emergency.

 

[xterraminator]

What are you paying for a reconditioned one vs the quest one? Are you referring to the quest van?

 

[Roadwarrior]

Precisely. Someone correct me if I am wrong but I think the stock X alt. is 85 amps and then the Quest alt. is 120 or 125. The rationale that I heard for it was due to the larger electrical demands that a mini-van would take (dvd players, chargers, GPS, etc.) would require a bit more power, thus the larger alt. Both the Quest and X have the same engine so it is a direct bolt on.

 

[TJTJ]

What are you paying for a reconditioned one vs the quest one? Are you referring to the quest van?

The Nissan Quest Minivan - the one with the same engine as in the X (VG33).

You want one from a 99 - 03 Quest (How they list them), with 125 amps instead of the X's OEM 80 amps...and its pretty much a direct swap.

(The 94 - 98 Quests used a VG30, and have a 110 amp alternator, but the pulley, etc, is not a direct swap, so you have to do some mods to use it.)

 

[xterraminator]

Its always nice to have more power , don't think I will ever use it but could be handy one day if I were to set up some inverters and bigger OBA. Thanks. I will check out the different prices on the two models. I have a feeling being Nissan their not going to be reasonable in price. If I had a lot of time I would like to re locate it. Having it down below is the worst place for an offroad vehicle. Just to think that the original one last almost 300Km was good.

 

[TJTJ]

Its always nice to have more power , don't think I will ever use it but could be handy one day if I were to set up some inverters and bigger OBA. Thanks. I will check out the different prices on the two models. I have a feeling being Nissan their not going to be reasonable in price. If I had a lot of time I would like to re locate it. Having it down below is the worst place for an offroad vehicle. Just to think that the original one last almost 300Km was good.

I took my old one from my '01 apart and cleaned it, and put it back in a few times. It had over 400k MILES on it. I also had a reman one I used as a trail spare, to have when the old one needed swapping out, etc. I also have a Mean Green 180 amp replacement, still in the box...that I intend to install in the '04.

 

[BKxterra718]

If you upgrade the alternator to the Quest one I believe you have to install a new serpentine belt its a little wider than the stock one. I have an Autozone Duralast brand will get the part # of the alternator and Goodyear Gatorback serpentine belt for you after work.


www.justinandersdenmark.com

 

[xterraminator]

If you upgrade the alternator to the Quest one I believe you have to install a new serpentine belt its a little wider than the stock one. I have an Autozone Duralast brand will get the part # of the alternator and Goodyear Gatorback serpentine belt for you after work.


www.justinandersdenmark.com

Also since the max output on the stock one is 80A with a protection fuse of 100A, going to a 125A unit might cause problems. 1. wire gauge size could be too small. Might have to go to a heavier gauge wire and 2. the protection fuse should be upgraded to 160A. Output * 1.25. I am sticking with the 80A.

 

[NismoFire]

If you upgrade the alternator to the Quest one I believe you have to install a new serpentine belt its a little wider than the stock one. I have an Autozone Duralast brand will get the part # of the alternator and Goodyear Gatorback serpentine belt for you after work.


www.justinandersdenmark.com

I didn't...I don't really think it's necessary.

 

[TJTJ]

If you upgrade the alternator to the Quest one I believe you have to install a new serpentine belt its a little wider than the stock one. I have an Autozone Duralast brand will get the part # of the alternator and Goodyear Gatorback serpentine belt for you after work.


www.justinandersdenmark.com

Only if you get the other year's alternator, as that one DOES require you re-use the pulley to make the belt match for example.

 

[UofA_Xterra]

Definitely do not need a different belt if you get an alternator from a 00-04 quest minivan with the VG33. Direct bolt on!

 

[BKxterra718]

Jusy got off the phone w a guy from duralast he said its for 92-98 QUEST 110 Amps the Duralast alternator# 14455. Its giant. I actually had to change to a smaller oil filter so it wouldnt be an issue removing it. Couldnt find the spare belt I had for it have a note it could be 5k326. But if you go that route w AZ just know you'll need it


www.justinandersdenmark.com

 

[NismoFire]

Jusy got off the phone w a guy from duralast he said its for 92-98 QUEST 110 Amps the Duralast alternator# 14455. Its giant. I actually had to change to a smaller oil filter so it wouldnt be an issue removing it. Couldnt find the spare belt I had for it have a note it could be 5k326. But if you go that route w AZ just know you'll need it


www.justinandersdenmark.com

Yeah, I did the 99-03 and it was a direct bolt on. I went through 4 of them before I realized why I was frying alternators (bad battery terminal). They say it's possible to change it without removing the oil filter, but I don't know how. I just changed the oil every time I changed the alternator last year.

 

[Muadeeb]

Yeah, I did the 99-03 and it was a direct bolt on. I went through 4 of them before I realized why I was frying alternators (bad battery terminal). They say it's possible to change it without removing the oil filter, but I don't know how. I just changed the oil every time I changed the alternator last year.

Don't have a front diff? (I keed) I've done mine twice and, while annoying, was doable without removing the filter.

 

[xterraminator]

So finally put in the alternator, did not work. was frustrating to see where the problem, spent about 2-3 hours so I gave up. Decided to get the dash board to work such speed, rpm, mileage etc as that died last weekend earlier on n the day when the battery died. I checked the fuses and #28, 7.5A was open. Replaced it and the dash functions worked. Guess what the alternator works now and charges. Yahoooo. OMG that is the strangest fix!!!! If you loose your dashboard your alternator will quit working.

 

[Chetter]

Well at least you have a spare alternator now :kewl: Might be a good thing until you can get around to relocating it.

 

[NismoFire]

Don't have a front diff? (I keed) I've done mine twice and, while annoying, was doable without removing the filter.

They say a body lift helps, too, but I don't have mine installed. *shrug*

So finally put in the alternator, did not work. was frustrating to see where the problem, spent about 2-3 hours so I gave up. Decided to get the dash board to work such speed, rpm, mileage etc as that died last weekend earlier on n the day when the battery died. I checked the fuses and #28, 7.5A was open. Replaced it and the dash functions worked. Guess what the alternator works now and charges. Yahoooo. OMG that is the strangest fix!!!! If you loose your dashboard your alternator will quit working.

What is #28 labeled as? I don't have the FSM on this computer...

 

[xterraminator]

If you go to your fuse box in side the cabin is called "meter". If that goes bad your dash and Alternator will not work. Might be a safety feature. If power is lost to your odometer your not going far.

 

[NismoFire]

Remind me to never tap into that fuse...glad you got it fixed.