What causes a bad car alternator?
Alternators put out alternating current, and the battery needs direct current to charge, so there is a voltage rectifier that converts it, and it can suddenly go bad, too. Dust and dirt can get into the alternator, and over time cause shorts or wear on the brushes.
Can a bad alternator leave a Nissan Pathfinder without power?
A bad alternator can leave your Nissan Pathfinder without power and unable to move. Alternators don’t always go bad in the exact same way. We’ll cover the symptoms of when an alternator goes bad, and how to diagnose a bad one (which is really pretty easy).
Why is my Nissan Pathfinder losing so much power?
If the battery in your Nissan Pathfinder is losing power quickly, the alternator may be the problem. The alternator uses the motor’s own energy to recharge the battery. In many trucks and other large vehicles, changing the alternator can be a simple procedure, as there are few other components in the way of removing it.
What should the voltage be on a Nissan Pathfinder?
Specifically, you’ll need to set it to 20V DC. With your Pathfinder turned off, you’ll connect the negative side of the meter to the negative battery post or wire. You’ll then touch the positive side of the voltmeter to the positive battery wire. With the engine off, you should get a reading somewhere between 12.0 volts and 12.6 volts.
What kind of engine does a Pathfinder have?
If the Pathfinder has a 3.5-liter V6 engine, you will need to remove the drive belt and then disconnect the wires and connectors from the alternator. Chris Moore has been contributing to eHow since 2007 and is a member of the DFW Writers’ Workshop.
A bad alternator can leave your Nissan Pathfinder without power and unable to move. Alternators don’t always go bad in the exact same way. We’ll cover the symptoms of when an alternator goes bad, and how to diagnose a bad one (which is really pretty easy).
If the battery in your Nissan Pathfinder is losing power quickly, the alternator may be the problem. The alternator uses the motor’s own energy to recharge the battery. In many trucks and other large vehicles, changing the alternator can be a simple procedure, as there are few other components in the way of removing it.
If the Pathfinder has a 3.5-liter V6 engine, you will need to remove the drive belt and then disconnect the wires and connectors from the alternator. Chris Moore has been contributing to eHow since 2007 and is a member of the DFW Writers’ Workshop.
How do you replace an alternator in a car?
Remove the two mounting bolts for the alternator and remove it from the engine. Install the replacement alternator and apply its mounting bolts. Connect the ground wire, electrical connector and output wire to the alternator. Reinstall the drive belt, making sure it is routed along the pulleys in the same path as before.