Alternator Advice / Recommendation

[sara]

I have a 1999 Nissan Pathfinder SE

I didn’t expect this to be so difficult but I am looking for an alternator. Not factory 90 amps but a little more, maybe 130. I’ve looked on ebay & amazon which nobody specifies the amps, the few that do are all 90. I don’t need a crazy amount like 250-300 which cost $400-600. I can’t find anything. There are ones out there around that amperage but not for my car. Does anybody know of any source or can give me any help.

Reason for high output is because I’ve just installed a new kenwood stereo, polk db652s, dxi6501s, cerwin vega underseat subwoofer/amp and another amp for the speakers. I forget the name, its a crutchfield brand. Car seems to be struggling starting ever since. Plus probably needs to be replaced anyhow.

Topic

[zero]

Your best bet would be to do a proper charging system test, including the battery, without the stereo running and then one with the system on to see what the voltage levels are at.

https://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/solving-automotive-electrical-problems?start=2#ChecktheBattery

If everything checks out OK before the stereo is turned on, but fails afterwards you can start looking at solutions. Until then assume you’re looking at a failing component. Not that I’ve done a ton of car stereo stuff, but I’ve never had an issue with systems around 500 watts.

[Richard Kirshy]

Ok 1999 Nissan Pathfinder.
I have to assume you have a 3.3L V6
If so, you may want to look at a Nissan Quest Alternator (120A)

Most Xterra owners swap out their stock 70 – 80A alternators for the Quest variant for more charging output.
One item to make note of,
You may need to change the alternator belt.

[sara]

Well I have a battery charger that tests the alternator. I just ran the test. First one with no accessories on. Test said alt is good. Then I ran a test with the stereo and amps on, blinker on, 3 interior lights on. Test was flashing back and forth between good and bad. I didn’t think about doing the voltage test but i’m assuming the alt can handle just the car being on without using anything which in my opinion is no good then

And thanks for your help. Would go run the voltage like you suggested but it is a whole process just to get the tester plugged in somewhere close to where it can reach my car and where i’m allowed to park my vehicle.

[sara]

Very good info. Thank you. i will try to find that alernator. yes it is a 3.3L. are the nissan quest only at the dealership or can i find them somewhere else? and the alternator belt has a whole bunch of tiny cracks

[sara]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-ALTERNATOR-FOR-MERCURY-VILLAGER-NISSAN-QUEST-VAN-125-AMP-/152218562759?fits=Make%3ANissan%7CModel%3AQuest&hash=item2370eef0c7:g:kUwAAOSw9NdXvy-3&vxp=mtr

Is this the correct one or do i need an oem?
Compatibilty dosnt sayf fits pathfinder, so do i just find the correct year?

[Richard Kirshy]

[i]Very good info. Thank you. i will try to find that alernator. yes it is a 3.3L. are the nissan quest only at the dealership or can i find them somewhere else? and the alternator belt has a whole bunch of tiny cracks

No eBay APP ID défined in Kunena configuration

Is this the correct one or do i need an oem?
Compatibilty dosnt sayf fits pathfinder, so do i just find the correct year? [/i]

No where will you see it says it will fit.
It is based off of the Nissan Quest.
But a 2002 3.3L Quest alternator fits a 2002 3.3L Xterra

You’d need to do the research in order to know the swap will fit.( see the bold underline below. )

1999-2002 NISSAN Quest 3.3L V6
1999-2002 MERCURY Villager 3.3L V6
Nissan 23100-7B000, 23100-7B000R, 23100-7B000RE
https://www.amazon.com/Mitsubishi-Alternator-A003TA5691-1999-2002-23100-7B000/dp/B004J2CRM4/ref=sr_1_9?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1483572072&vehicle=1999-67-897-49–40-9-5-5456-1735-8-1-2254-89-6-0&sr=1-9&ymm=1999%3Anissan%3Aquest&keywords=alternator
Mitsubishi Electric
Item model number A3TA5691
Manufacturer Part Number A003TA5691
OEM Part Number Nissan 23100-7B000, 23100-7B000R, 23100-7B000RE, XF210300AC, XF5Z10346AA, Ford GL421, XF52-10300AC, XF5210300AC, XF5Z10346AA, Mitsubishi A003TA5691, A003TA5691ZC, A3TA5691ZC, Lester 13821, J&N 400-48015, Bosch AL2380X, Denso 210-4146,Remy Light Duty 12004, Wilson 90-27-3217
ABPA Partslink Number 23100-7B000
Folding No
Amperage 125 A
Voltage 12 volts

[lee brown]

i would recomend looking into this further as i run two 1250watt rms subwoofers and a 5000watt rms amplifier on 0awg wiring in my 2006 ford focus on the standard alternator and it is just fine and i belive its only a 90 amp alternator so look into whats causing the issue further before spending money on a new alternator however a good company i can recommend is xspower alternators they stock upgrade alternators for most vehicles and will be more than happy to find one to fit your vehicle if u give them a call i hope this helps

[sara]

I think it might already be bad to begin with. I have a loud squeel most times when i start the car. Not sure if its the bearings in alt or flywheel.engine has been having a different kind of sound. I read tha happends w alternators.

anyhow, i’m totally lost on which year xterra alternator i need. can’t find infor anywhere on line.

also crutchfield sells those xs batteries ( not alternators) and they said the spoke to xs power and my vehicle doesn’t have a recomennded alt in their system, Is what crutchfield said

[Richard Kirshy]

The link I posted is the unit you need.

[sara]

Thank you. I don’t know but for some reason I didn’t get that you were actually giving me the one I needed but I see it now. I must have been tired when i read it or something. I’ve been looking all over online 🙁
Well this is the first time today, the car will not start. It tries to and light dash everything comes on but it wont start. I tried maybe 5 – 7 times and got a burning smell. I’m wondering if this is the alternator? Whole new issue here but maybe related.

[sara]

maybe i was confused because you kept saying xterra. i have a pathfinder

[sara]

I found the exact same one on ebay for $80 total with taxes and shipping included. wid auto parts. with a year warranty. hopefully this solves the problem. now for my belt do i now have to get one for a quest or for pathfinder?

[Richard Kirshy]

[color=#00bbff]Thank you. I don’t know but for some reason I didn’t get that you were actually giving me the one I needed but I see it now. I must have been tired when i read it or something. I’ve been looking all over online 🙁
Well this is the first time today, the car will not start. It tries to and light dash everything comes on but it wont start. I tried maybe 5 – 7 times and got a burning smell. I’m wondering if this is the alternator? Whole new issue here but maybe related. [/color]

That is something you will need to fix first

maybe i was confused because you kept saying xterra. i have a pathfinder

The point I was trying to show you was that it is a 3.3L engine.
The same engine is used in Nissan Pathfinder, Xterra, Frontier, Quest and a few other models.

I found the exact same one on ebay for $80 total with taxes and shipping included. wid auto parts. with a year warranty. hopefully this solves the problem. now for my belt do i now have to get one for a quest or for pathfinder?

I don’t deal with ebay, but if you found one there for a better price.. no worries.
Just make sure it isn’t a cheap copy of the original.
As to the belt… yes you need to get the one for a Quest.
If I remember correctly, the pulley on the Quest alternator is slightly larger. so your original belt will be just a little too small to fit properly.
Though, I have heard some have managed to force the original belt it on.
But it’s not a good idea to put that much stress on the belt or the bearings of the alternator.

[sara]

I know what you mean about ebay. 50% of the stuff I purchase doesn’t work or they send the wrong item. You take a gamble. I just make sure they offer returns before I purchase and that they have a good track record. But I have really bad beef with Amazon so I try my best not to hand them my money. Was a seller on their for 5 years. Last 3 months I was selling, I was selling the #1 item in electronics. Made a ton of money. Out of about 1000 sells / customers, I had 6 complaints. 5 weren’t even legitamate 1 was actually my fault but I fixed it by sending my customer 2 of the item she purchased when she only paid for one. They suspended me. I appealed it and explained how all 5 complaints were not even possible and they said my answer was not good enough and i’m no longer allowed to sell on amazon and kept MY MONEY that was on my account $115. So I dont like them, they treat their sellers like crap and the buyer gets away with whatever they say.That was my main income and it hurt me bad.
So ebay isn’t so bad to me anymore.
Okay about the belt, I’ll just get a new one because it needs it anyway. I’m looking for a quest one correct?
I charged the battery just in case. When I went to put it back in there are 2 small wires attached to a harness on the positive battery cable that lead to something in the fuse box. one of the wires hasn’t been hooked up to anything for i don’t know how long. since i’ve had the car over a year. I took a chance and attached it to the positive. I started the car and it started and better than it ever has. i turned on my lights and rolled down the window and the lights didn’t dim as they always have. Have any idea what the wire is?

[sara]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/252396161148?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Looks like the real deal..

[Author]

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