Does your alternator charge your battery?
The alternator in your car is what charges your battery. But when your car is running, your alternator is fueling the battery for the next start. In order to fix a dead battery that is still carrying a good amount of voltage, driving around might be all you need to do.
What are the symptoms of a bad Nissan Maxima alternator?
Here are the most common symptoms of a bad alternator in a Nissan Maxima: The battery light is designed to tell you that there is not enough voltage to properly charge the battery, or that the battery itself is not holding the proper voltage. In rare occasions the service engine soon light may light up.
What happens when the battery dies on a Nissan Maxima?
When the battery gets so dead it will no longer be able to power your Maxima’s ignition system. As the ignition system is no longer able to produce a full powered spark, the engine will begin to sputter and stall.
When to replace the alternator in an Audi A4?
With the engine just fired up, you should get over 14.2 volts. If you got 14.2 or more volts, the alternator is charging fine. If it’s still showing in the 12’s, it’s time to replace the alternator. If it’s producing a voltage level in the 13’s, go ahead and take it into a parts store and have it tested.
Can a bad serpentine belt cause an alternator to fail?
It’s worth noting that a bad serpentine belt can cause the alternator to stop charging effectively. It’s pretty easy to tell if one is bad. It’ll look dry rotted. If it’s been slipping a lot it’ll have a glossy shine to it. You’ll have probably heard it squeal when you start the engine. They typically don’t fail quietly.
What happens when the alternator on a Nissan Maxima goes bad?
If your Maxima’s alternator starts to have bearings that fail, it’ll begin to make some very obnoxious noises. If the serpentine belt has gone bad, it can make some noises too, but it won’t sound metallic like the bearings going bad would.
It’s worth noting that a bad serpentine belt can cause the alternator to stop charging effectively. It’s pretty easy to tell if one is bad. It’ll look dry rotted. If it’s been slipping a lot it’ll have a glossy shine to it. You’ll have probably heard it squeal when you start the engine. They typically don’t fail quietly.
When the battery gets so dead it will no longer be able to power your Maxima’s ignition system. As the ignition system is no longer able to produce a full powered spark, the engine will begin to sputter and stall.
With the engine just fired up, you should get over 14.2 volts. If you got 14.2 or more volts, the alternator is charging fine. If it’s still showing in the 12’s, it’s time to replace the alternator. If it’s producing a voltage level in the 13’s, go ahead and take it into a parts store and have it tested.