How To Change Alternator On 2009 Nissan Altima?

A skilled professional technician should be able to replace your alternator in around 2 hours, depending on the make and model of your car. However, the majority of businesses in the USA will bill you for a full day’s worth of work.

Depending on the brand and model of your car, changing it yourself at home without much experience should take you about 3 to 4 hours. Please do not attempt to change your alternator yourself if you have no mechanical experience; dealing with electricity puts you and your automobile at risk of injury.

In This Article...

What is the time required to replace an alternator on a Nissan?

What Is the Time Frame for Alternator Replacement? You can replace an alternator on your own in around two hours on average, however this may vary a little depending on your level of auto technician expertise.

How can I tell if the alternator in my Nissan Altima is damaged?

What Signs Indicate a Bad Alternator?

unable to begin
squealing or whining noise made after the car has started.
The dashboard’s battery warning light is on.
interior lights, or headlights, dim.
Under the hood, there is a burning rubber scent.
devices that won’t charge

What is Nissan’s installation fee for an alternator?

These figures will change depending on the automobile model, the cost of labor, and the auto parts that need to be repaired or replaced. An alternator replacement takes around 2 hours, which is about as long as a driveline repair and a little less time than a clutch repair.

Parts are likely to cost between $290 and $600, including a replacement belt. Labor might cost anything from $85 to $800, depending on where you get your car serviced.

If a new alternator is too expensive, you might alternatively ask your repair for a refurbished or rebuilt alternator. Make sure your products are covered by a guarantee to prevent future issues.

How can I tell if my alternator is defective?

As was already noted, if your engine is difficult to start, your alternator may not be charging the battery. As a result, when you turn the key in the ignition, all you’ll hear is a clicking noise rather than your engine’s purring sound.

On the other hand, if your car repeatedly stalls out while you’re driving, it can mean that the alternator isn’t supplying the spark plugs with enough power to keep the engine running.

How can my alternator be tested?

What is the lifespan of alternators?

The lifespan of an alternator is astounding, lasting seven years or 80,000 to 150,000 miles. But watch out that you don’t use it up too soon! The following are some typical reasons for early alternator failure: quality of an alternator.

What equipment is required to replace an alternator?

You’ll require the following equipment in addition to a replacement alternator:

Ratchets, sockets, and wrenches are examples of hand tools.
belt tensioning device
safety equipment and gloves.
If necessary, a memory protector or battery tender.
If necessary, use a jack, jack stands, and wheel chocks.

How long does an alternator replacement take a mechanic?

We’re happy to see you moving toward mending your Jeep! It will take a professional roughly two hours to replace an alternator.

There may be a delay before a technician can work on your vehicle, so it doesn’t mean it will only be there for two hours. Also, it will take longer if the shop needs to order parts.

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Is replacing an alternator simple?

Lacking funds this holiday season? One of the cheapest repairs you can make at home is replacing an alternator, which can cost several hundred dollars to accomplish at your neighborhood repair shop. You can change it yourself with a few simple tools and an hour or so, allowing you to keep your money where it belongs—in your pocket.

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How much does it cost to change an alternator in terms of labor?

I’m sorry to hear about your automobile issue. A new car alternator typically costs $400 to replace, including labor and supplies.

Your bill will probably be higher than $500 if you visit a dealership. They often employ OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts rather than aftermarket ones, which explains why. Additionally, they typically charge more than your neighborhood auto shop for services.

So that you’re prepared to discuss this service with a mechanic, let’s break down that $400 average cost.

The average time required to replace an alternator is two to three hours. Depending on the mechanic’s hourly rate, the labor charges come to around $200.

A new alternator should cost between $200 and $350 if you use OEM components. You could spend between $100 and $200 on a new part if you don’t mind purchasing aftermarket parts.

Finally, it’s crucial to be aware that alternator issues frequently coexist with other issues. During the servicing, your mechanic might find that additional components like the battery or the serpentine belt need to be changed. This can raise your charge by an additional $50 to $150.

By using aftermarket components, you can cut costs, but watch out for subpar brands.

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Can a car with a damaged alternator be driven?

In theory, absolutely. You can still drive a car with a damaged alternator or one that is just starting to malfunction, but it’s better not to. You have a very short time before your car stops and won’t restart if your alternator has completely ceased operating.

Can a car still run with a damaged alternator?

Can a car still run with a damaged alternator? A damaged alternator can only keep a car running for a short period of time. When the engine is running, the alternator charges the battery, and if the battery is gone, the car won’t start again.

How long can a damaged alternator keep a car running?

Numerous elements must be present for an automobile to be able to operate without an alternator. These factors include the kind of vehicle you are operating, the battery charge at the time the alternator fails, the quantity of electrical equipment you are utilizing, and whether or not the car is running.

Expect up to two hours of runtime and as little as five minutes for the majority of vehicles, though. This may be just a few miles away or, if you’re lucky, up to 100 miles away, depending on how fast you’re moving!

What results in an alternator failing?

How frequently do alternators go down, you might wonder if your automobile is having trouble starting. A normal alternator can last up to seven years or 100,000–150,000 kilometers. However, according to some mechanics, alternators need to be replaced after 80,000 miles.

Do you really understand how the alternator operates? It is situated on the engine and supplies the battery with electricity, continuously charging it along with the computers and electrical system. The alternator keeps the car going once the battery powers it up. How long an alternator lasts depends on several factors, including the alternator’s quality, how the car is driven, and how many electronics are used within the vehicle. Unfortunately, it can be challenging to determine whether issues with the auto starter, the battery, or the alternator are to blame for starting issues.

The alternator may malfunction for a number of reasons, including improper jump-starting or the installation of an accessory that overloads it. Alternator bearing damage, which results in early wear, can also be brought on by leaking fluid in the alternator or a tight belt. The electronics attempt to pull all of their power from the battery when the alternator fails, which eventually results in the battery dying. For this reason, you should examine the alternator even if you think the battery or the car starter may be the issue.

Often, the alternator can go out with little or no warning. But there are a few signs that will let you know it is about ready to die:

The “GEN” or “ALT” dash warning light turns on.
The lighting is less bright than usual and could even pulse between dim and bright.
Power windows, power locks, dashboard lighting, air conditioning, radio, GPS, and other electrical systems will start to malfunction.
It’s possible for engine bearings to fail, resulting in strange rattles.
The engine could stall because the spark plugs lack sufficient power to start or maintain the engine’s life.
Because the alternator is not keeping the battery charged, it will eventually discharge.

Remember: Prior to changing the battery or the auto starter if you are experiencing starting issues, check the alternator as well.

Does it make sense to replace an alternator?

If the alternator is broken, it is typically wiser to replace it totally. Even though they can be expensive, new ones are generally preferable than remanufactured or rebuilt alternatives. Since the mechanical components have a lot of miles on them, they most likely won’t last as long as a new one.

Check for a remanufactured or rebuilt alternator at your neighborhood auto parts store if you can’t afford a new one. If a mechanic is handling the installation, be sure they provide you a brand-new alternator rather than trying to save money by using a refurbished or rebuilt one.

A high-output alternator, which is more expensive, may be required for some vehicles with increased electrical needs, such as ambulances or vehicles with sizable, power-hungry sound systems.

Depending on the type of car, the cost of the parts varies widely, but it often falls between $150 and $300. An OEM alternator for a more recent Mercedes or Audi can easily cost close to $1,000 as more costly automobiles would typically demand more expensive parts.

Since certain alternators are simpler to access and require less time to work on, labor expenses also vary, but budget between $200 and $600 for the work.

Expect to shell out anything from $350 to $900 in total for an alternator replacement. In most circumstances, it will be less expensive to have an independent mechanic handle the work than a dealership.