Good morning.

Please I need some help. I've been having issues with my car... Difficulty starting and eventually unable to start.

Electrician who initially said I had a kick starter problem now said it's a battery fault.

I planned to buy a battery yesterday but got back late.

This morning I decided to study the car a bit and I realized the alternator is the problem.

My questions are :

1. Is it possible to repair an alternator
2. What's the cost of a new one

Infiniti qx4 2001

sureboykris:
Good morning.

Please I need some help. I've been having issues with my car... Difficulty starting and eventually unable to start.

Electrician who initially said I had a kick starter problem now said it's a battery fault.

I planned to buy a battery yesterday but got back late.

This morning I decided to study the car a bit and I realized the alternator is the problem.

My questions are :

1. Is it possible to repair an alternator
2. What's the cost of a new one

Infiniti qx4 2001

1. Yes it is.

2. A new unit is costlier than the vehicle itself.


You said you observed the car, and concluded the problem is the alternator, can you share this your observation, and what led to your inference.


Not all vehicles are designed this way, but most are: remove the positive terminal, and see if the car will switch off. If it doesn't , your probably do not have a bad alternator.


Using a multimeter to check the voltage at the battery while it idles at 2.5rev/m is another way to check. It should output between 13.5-14.5v with all accessories on, ac, headlamp, radio,etc on. If you have anything lower, you have a low charge situation.

Check the terminals, check the ground, measure the voltage drop between battery positive and alternator, check alternator belt, tensioner and tension.


You can also test your battery too. this is with the car off. you should have between 12-12.5v anything below that is a battery that needs recharge, or replacement.

In an event you change the alternator, buy a new battery too. If the battery is bad too, and you change just the alternator, It will eventually make the alternator go bad too.


Most importantly, take your car to a good tech. You shouldn't bear the headache

DAutoDiagnosis:



1. Yes it is.

2. A new unit is costlier than the vehicle itself.


You said you observed the car, and concluded the problem is the alternator, can you share this your observation, and what led to your inference.


Not all vehicles are designed this way, but most are: remove the positive terminal, and see if the car will switch off. If it doesn't , your probably do not have a bad alternator.


Using a multimeter to check the voltage at the battery while it idles at 2.5rev/m is another way to check. It should output between 13.5-14.5v with all accessories on, ac, headlamp, radio,etc on. If you have anything lower, you have a low charge situation.

Check the terminals, check the ground, measure the voltage drop between battery positive and alternator, check alternator belt, tensioner and tension.


You can also test your battery too. this is with the car off. you should have between 12-12.5v anything below that is a battery that needs recharge, or replacement.

In an event you change the alternator, buy a new battery too. If the battery is bad too, and you change just the alternator, It will eventually make the alternator go bad too.


Most importantly, take your car to a good tech. You shouldn't bear the headache

Thanks a lot. Getting a good tech is difficult here.
To answer your question, the alternator has failed in the past... 3 years ago. The dash lights came on.. (battery, Alt light)... The car suddenly went dead on the road. Got an alternator and everything has been fine till today.

So today, I turned on another car, took out the battery and placed it in the infiniti... Took the infiniti battery and placed in the other car that was running.
The new battery was able to start the car but all those lights were on...
After a while, I removed the infiniti battery from the other car that was running and placed it back in the infiniti.. It was able to start the car and those lights were still on .. I feel the other car charged the battery cause as at yesterday the car couldn't start.
So that's my thought.
I'm a novice

DAutoDiagnosis:



1. Yes it is.

2. A new unit is costlier than the vehicle itself.


You said you observed the car, and concluded the problem is the alternator, can you share this your observation, and what led to your inference.


Not all vehicles are designed this way, but most are: remove the positive terminal, and see if the car will switch off. If it doesn't , your probably do not have a bad alternator.


Using a multimeter to check the voltage at the battery while it idles at 2.5rev/m is another way to check. It should output between 13.5-14.5v with all accessories on, ac, headlamp, radio,etc on. If you have anything lower, you have a low charge situation.

Check the terminals, check the ground, measure the voltage drop between battery positive and alternator, check alternator belt, tensioner and tension.


You can also test your battery too. this is with the car off. you should have between 12-12.5v anything below that is a battery that needs recharge, or replacement.

In an event you change the alternator, buy a new battery too. If the battery is bad too, and you change just the alternator, It will eventually make the alternator go bad too.


Most importantly, take your car to a good tech. You shouldn't bear the headache

Wow.. So even a "tokunbo" will be so expensive?

I'm in Anambra. I don't know who will work on it eventually if it's really an alternator problem

Thanks

Please is charging a car battery advice? Or one should just buy a new battery

I see you have plenty concern about alternator this morning
Don't know if infinity is different but here is my advice from normal cars I know

sureboykris:
Please is charging a car battery advice? Or one should just buy a new battery

For me I think it's wast of energy. Most of these Chinese batteries in the market just die and dye well well. Buy a battery and have rest of mind.

sureboykris:


Wow.. So even a "tokunbo" will be so expensive?

Tokumbo alternator should be fine. It's should readily available in onitsha nah.
Have your mechanic loose it. Take it to the market, even from the gate they ll start rushing you for either repair or replacement. BEWARE.
As a novice, let your electrician do the maths. It will cost you extra only.

Last week I was at this workshop and they were fixing this highlander AC. When all was set, this ac boy came and was pouring water everywhere. Next thing I heard quarrel started... They say he splash water for alternator.
E wasn't charging again. Like play like play the man bought another one for 20k in my very b4. I no fit put mouth seif as the man too na wahalla

mygee33:
I see you have plenty concern about alternator this morning
Don't know if infinity is different but here is my advice from normal cars I know



For me I think it's wast of energy. Most of these Chinese batteries in the market just die and dye well well. Buy a battery and have rest of mind.


Tokumbo alternator should be fine. It's should readily available in onitsha nah.
Have your mechanic loose it. Take it to the market, even from the gate they ll start rushing you for either repair or replacement. BEWARE.
As a novice, let your electrician do the maths. It will cost you extra only.

Last week I was at this workshop and they were fixing this highlander AC. When all was set, this ac boy came and was pouring water everywhere. Next thing I heard quarrel started... They say he splash water for alternator.
E wasn't charging again. Like play like play the man bought another one for 20k in my very b4. I no fit put mouth seif as the man too na wahalla

Wow.. 20k... No be small money... So all this washing of engine can damage alternator.
This is why I've never washed my engine... The thing dey dey fear me.

As for the charging advice, I've noted it.. Better to buy battery.. Thanks a lot
But what's your take on repairing alternator. Is it better to repair or replace

sureboykris:


As for the charging advice, I've noted it.. Better to buy battery.. Thanks a lot
But what's your take on repairing alternator. Is it better to repair or replace

Replace the alternator and sell the old one. Make sure you buy one that hasn't been tampered with. Your mechanic will know better.

aieromon:


Replace the alternator and sell the old one. Make sure you buy one that hasn't been tampered with. Your mechanic will know better.

OK. Thanks a lot

sureboykris:


Wow.. So even a "tokunbo" will be so expensive?

I'm in Anambra. I don't know who will work on it eventually if it's really an alternator problem

Thanks

No o, I meant a new alternator. Tokunbor isn't.


Tokunbor should be between 20-30k at ochanjala abi wetin una dey call am.

I have some rewire at Onitsha, I could share his contact if you don't mind

:Replace the alternator and sell the old one. Make sure you buy one that hasn't been tampered with. Your mechanic will know better.OK. Thanks a lot

Can you locate where you fixed the alternator three years ago? Why not repair the old alternator if it came with the car? It might be better than buying tokunbo. Whatever you do, don't sell the old one yet. Had this same alternator issue and I insisted I wanted a replacement instead of repairing it. The new one kept running my battery down, went to three different electricians and they all said the new alternator is charging well but at least once a week, my car will refuse to start after leaving the house . Once we fix a new battery, it starts easily. Till someone told me to go and fix the old alternator I kept at home and remove the new one. Before the whole issue was resolved. I have never being so frustrated in my life. Sometimes I leave my car parked and running because I was afraid it might not start.

DAutoDiagnosis:


No o, I meant a new alternator. Tokunbor isn't.


Tokunbor should be between 20-30k at ochanjala abi wetin una dey call am.

I have some rewire at Onitsha, I could share his contact if you don't mind

Ochanjala... Lol.... Ochanja
But parts are sold at obosi


Please share... I appreciate

sureboykris:

Ochanjala... Lol.... Ochanja But parts are sold at obosi

Please share... I appreciate

0816 976 9317 Christopher.
Tell him Akin Motomedics referred you

DAutoDiagnosis:



0816 976 9317 Christopher.

Tell him Akin Motomedics referred you

Thanks

So I got an electrician close by and he was able to purchase an alternator at a surprisingly affordable amount ..The car has been behaving well so far

Dont waste time repairing it..get a tokunbor alternator for your peace of mind..I made same mistake repairing mine but at the end I had no choice other than getting a tokunbor alternator and the money spent on repairs that never worked was more than the cost of a tokunbor alternator

sureboykris:
So I got an electrician close by and he was able to purchase an alternator at a surprisingly affordable amount ..The car has been behaving well so far

Got it 9k

DAutoDiagnosis:



1. Yes it is.

2. A new unit is costlier than the vehicle itself.


You said you observed the car, and concluded the problem is the alternator, can you share this your observation, and what led to your inference.


Not all vehicles are designed this way, but most are: remove the positive terminal, and see if the car will switch off. If it doesn't , your probably do not have a bad alternator.


Using a multimeter to check the voltage at the battery while it idles at 2.5rev/m is another way to check. It should output between 13.5-14.5v with all accessories on, ac, headlamp, radio,etc on. If you have anything lower, you have a low charge situation.

Check the terminals, check the ground, measure the voltage drop between battery positive and alternator, check alternator belt, tensioner and tension.


You can also test your battery too. this is with the car off. you should have between 12-12.5v anything below that is a battery that needs recharge, or replacement.

In an event you change the alternator, buy a new battery too. If the battery is bad too, and you change just the alternator, It will eventually make the alternator go bad too.


Most importantly, take your car to a good tech. You shouldn't bear the headache

What if the alternator does low charging? I removed the positive and infact the negative terminal join the car did not stall or go off, I could drive from ojodu Berger to lekki without inserting it back but yet it does low charging

egopersonified:
Can you locate where you fixed the alternator three years ago? Why not repair the old alternator if it came with the car? It might be better than buying tokunbo. Whatever you do, don't sell the old one yet. Had this same alternator issue and I insisted I wanted a replacement instead of repairing it. The new one kept running my battery down, went to three different electricians and they all said the new alternator is charging well but at least once a week, my car will refuse to start after leaving the house . Once we fix a new battery, it starts easily. Till someone told me to go and fix the old alternator I kept at home and remove the new one. Before the whole issue was resolved. I have never being so frustrated in my life. Sometimes I leave my car parked and running because I was afraid it might not start.

Where did u repair the old alternator and how much?