If you own a vehicle from Nissan or any other brand, you’ll also need a regular maintenance schedule for parts, especially alternators, batteries, etc., because they affect the operation.
How much does a Nissan alternator cost? Can you replace it at home to save cost? Of course! Keep reading to learn how!
Nissan Alternator Cost
How much does the Nissan Altima alternator replacement cost? Depending on the model and your choice, the actual price can range from $150 to $700.
Why is there such a big difference?
Replacement Cost
Many people only think of “how much is an alternator for Nissan Altima” but ignore an important factor: service cost.
If you have enough experience and do it yourself at home, it’s not worth worrying about.
However, not everyone has sufficient know-how. When you bring your car to the auto service center or ask for the help of technical mechanics, the labor costs are also high.
The Nissan Altima alternator costs vary widely, and OEM products will usually have a higher price but better quality.
Below is a list of estimated costs for reference only. If you replace this part yourself at home or only make the alternator repair, you can reduce 20%-30% of the cost:
- 2003 Nissan Altima alternator replacement cost: $150 to $600
- 2005 Nissan Altima alternator replacement cost: $150 to $600
- 2005 Nissan Altima 3.5 alternator replacement cost: $170 to $650
- 2006 Nissan Altima alternator replacement cost: $150 to $600
- 2008 Nissan Altima 3.5 alternator replacement cost: $170 to $650
- 2009 Nissan Altima alternator replacement cost: $200 to $700
- 2013 Nissan Altima alternator replacement cost: $200 to $700
How To Replace It
You’ve got the answer for how much a Nissan alternator replacement is. It isn’t a small amount! So, it’s time to learn how to replace it at home. Doing it yourself is a cost-saving method.
- Park the vehicle in the garage or a safe, level location. Don’t forget to turn off the engine and remove the key.
- Disconnect the battery. If you don’t unplug the battery, you’ll be likely to get an electric shock and damage your car throughout the operation.
- Locate the alternator (on the side or the front of the engine bay)
- Use a belt tensioner tool to spring back the belt and loosen it.
- Take out the belt; check for any frays or cracks and ensure that the roller spins easily. Replace a new tensioner belt if you detect wear and tear.
- Isolate the alternator by disconnecting any existing wiring or connectors. Remove all bolts and take the old alternator out.
- Before reassembly, check the new unit to ensure it matches with the old one.
- Place the new alternator into its designated spot, reconnect any wiring.
- Install the tensioner belt back in its place and reconnect the battery.
When Should You Replace Your Alternator?
You’ve got the answer to “how much is an alternator for a Nissan Altima?”! So, how do you know when it’s time to replace it?
Dim Or Flickering Lights
Your vehicle may exhibit irregular symptoms such as fading dash lights and headlights, as well as speedometers and tachometers that cease working for no apparent reason.
If the lights aren’t truly dim, they could be flickering. When your lights are bright, then dull, then bright again, your car has electrical issues, and the alternator can be the reason.
The cause is it simply isn’t producing enough power to maintain the lights on full power.
Dead Battery
When it fails or dies completely, it could be because of the faulty alternator. Still, even the finest car battery itself will eventually discharge. So what is the difference?
It is relatively simple to distinguish between a dead battery and a faulty alternator. Simply jump-start your vehicle and take out jumper cables as soon as feasible. Then you must wait.
If it fails to charge the system, you’ll have found the source of the problem. However, if the automobile starts and continues to operate, the fault is likely with the battery.
Strange Odor
It would help if you made the alternator replacement Nissan Altima when you smell the strange odor inside your vehicle while driving or parking, this is one of the common bad alternator symptoms.
Not all foul odors indicate alternator issues. The smell distinguishes itself from other notable automotive odors, such as the smoky sting of burning oil and the unpleasant odor of overheating brakes or over-coolant.
And certainly, if you smell any of them, this is a sign of system issues.
Battery Warning Light
If your dashboard battery warning light illuminates, it is frequently misinterpreted as a battery-specific problem, including the alternator.
They are built to operate at a specified voltage, usually between 13.9 and 14.8 volts. If it fails, the voltage may fall below capacity, making the warning light illuminate your dashboard.
Loud Noise Or Struggling When Starting
You’ll hear the loud clicking noise or odd noises rather than the purr of your engine. And this could signify a Nissan Altima alternator replacement.
Slow Accessories
When your alternator isn’t producing enough power for your car’s electronics, your accessories will often be slow or non-functional.
The windows take more time to go down or up, the seat warmers seem to be “off,” or your speedometer and other parts begin to malfunction are some signs of a bad alternator.
Loose Connection
Power from the alternator is delivered via small wires and large cables. Any issues with the wires, cables, or connectors at either end can reduce or prevent electricity from flowing.
Brighter lights may occasionally be a symptom of this problem, as they will produce more power to overcome resistance in a damaged wire or a broken or loose connection.
Wire’s higher resistance generates heat in the same manner that an electric burner on a stove does, opposing the flow of electricity.
FAQs
What Alternator Types Do Nissan Cars Use?
Depending on the model, each year, Nissan uses different alternator types. There are two common types that most vehicles use:
- Salient Pole: consists of protruding poles mounted over a big magnetic wheel made of iron or steel. These are big in diameter and have short axles.
- Smooth Cylindrical: This type of cylinder is solid steel and regularly has slots.
How Often Should You Replace Your Nissan Car Alternator?
It has an average lifespan of seven years or around 150,000 miles.
The alternator’s quality, the overall vehicle condition, and the number of electronics used can all impact this part’s longevity. However, you should also consider replacing it when there are signs of damage.
How Can I Test My Nissan Alternator?
- Prepare a multimeter for an alternator check.
- Set the multimeter to more than 15 DCV.
- Make sure that the negative and positive terminals are clean.
- Then, connect the multimeter’s black cable to the negative one and the red cable to the positive one.
- A good alternatore’s reading should be about 12.6.
- Start the engine and check the result; it should be between 14.2 to 14.7.
- A value of more than 14.7 indicates that you have overcharged your battery, and a result of less than 14.2 indicates that it is undercharging it.
- Turn on the fog lights, radio, power windows, and other devices, keeping the voltage reading over 13.
- When you turn off the vehicle, the result must be more than 12.6.
- Once one of the results fails to meet the above readings, your alternator is malfunctioning.
Conclusion
In short, the Nissan alternator cost can vary from $150 to $700, which is an average cost for most car models.
However, remember that this fee may vary depending on the replacement part you choose and the labor fee in your area.