# Bad alternator **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** alternators\ **Created:** [September 25, 2007, 2:23am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/bad-alternator/5107 "2007-09-25T02:23:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![satxdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6f9a4e/32.png) [@satxdad](https://community.cartalk.com/u/satxdad)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2007, 2:23am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/bad-alternator/5107/1 "2007-09-25T02:23:58Z")
the original battery on my daughter’s 03 altima was replaced after 1 yr,6 months. the replacement battery failed after 1 yr,2 months. the third battery lasted 1 yr,7 months. a charging system check showed that the alternator was behaving erratically. it was replaced at a cost of $640.05. i say that the alternator was defective from the day the car was bought and nisson should replace it and the cost of three batteries at no cost. make sense? ---
**Author:** ![satxdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6f9a4e/32.png) [@satxdad](https://community.cartalk.com/u/satxdad)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2007, 2:28am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/bad-alternator/5107/2 "2007-09-25T02:28:00Z")
p.s. none of the failed batteries would take a charge. ---
**Author:** ![TJScott2012](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e68b1a/32.png) [@TJScott2012](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TJScott2012)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2007, 2:28am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/bad-alternator/5107/3 "2007-09-25T02:28:58Z")
you got screwed up and out! 640 for an alternator replacing! the most ive ever heard of is 300! ---
**Author:** ![TJScott2012](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e68b1a/32.png) [@TJScott2012](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TJScott2012)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2007, 2:29am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/bad-alternator/5107/4 "2007-09-25T02:29:39Z")
i also had a similar problem, clean your terminals, did the alternator fix it? ---
**Author:** ![hellokit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6a8cbe/32.png) [@hellokit](https://community.cartalk.com/u/hellokit)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2007, 2:31am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/bad-alternator/5107/5 "2007-09-25T02:31:41Z")
It makes sense. On a positive note, talk to your dealer, they might get Nissan to do a “goodwill” repair at no cost, or little costs. After the dealer, you could try the Nissan regional representative. You’ve nothing to lose by asking. ---
**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2007, 2:35am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/bad-alternator/5107/6 "2007-09-25T02:35:24Z")
It may make sense, but it’s probably not going to happen. This may be a good example of why an entire electrical system check (battery test, alt. test, starter load test, current draw test, etc.) should be done every time an electrical problem is encountered, no matter what the symptoms are. You could try sending a politely worded letter explaining the situation to the Nissan regional office. There’s always the one chance in a million they could go back and good will at least part of it. Not likely, but it’s worth a shot. The most they will do is say no. ---
**Author:** ![satxdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6f9a4e/32.png) [@satxdad](https://community.cartalk.com/u/satxdad)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2007, 2:54am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/bad-alternator/5107/7 "2007-09-25T02:54:23Z")
only had the fourth battery for less than 2 months.won’t know for a year or more. ---
**Author:** ![TJScott2012](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e68b1a/32.png) [@TJScott2012](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TJScott2012)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2007, 3:00am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/bad-alternator/5107/8 "2007-09-25T03:00:51Z")
after you shut it off, turn the key and read the alternator displacement gauge, it should show your battery power ---
**Author:** ![jayjayp47](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/jayjayp47/32/98_2.png) [@jayjayp47](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jayjayp47)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2007, 1:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/bad-alternator/5107/9 "2007-09-25T13:37:22Z")
I just had mine replaced on an '02 Altima. The alternator itself is $400–I, too, thought that was outrageous–foreign parts are expensive, I guess. Total cost: $550 ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2007, 5:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/bad-alternator/5107/10 "2007-09-25T17:15:36Z")
> I just had mine replaced on an '02 Altima. The alternator itself is $400–I, too, thought that was outrageous–foreign parts are expensive, I guess. Total cost: $550 Who replaced it…the dealer??? I don’t find foreign parts prices to be any higher then domestic. I do find Dealer prices to be MUCH higher though. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2007, 5:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/bad-alternator/5107/11 "2007-09-25T17:17:48Z")
It does make sense…now can you PROVE that it was the Alternator all this time?? And I’ll say you can’t PROVE it. Ask Nissan and maybe they’ll reimburse you…but I seriously doubt it. ---
**Author:** ![jayjayp47](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/jayjayp47/32/98_2.png) [@jayjayp47](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jayjayp47)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2007, 9:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/bad-alternator/5107/12 "2007-09-25T21:04:20Z")
Nope, my usual tech who is competitively (in a high rate area–Boston) priced. ---
**Author:** ![satxdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6f9a4e/32.png) [@satxdad](https://community.cartalk.com/u/satxdad)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2007, 10:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/bad-alternator/5107/13 "2007-09-25T22:42:31Z")
if the 4th battery lasts two years with the new alternator, that’s proof enough for me.