What's wrong with my car?

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I have a 2001 Nissan Maxima SE with 196,000 miles. It had an oil change about a month ago. The car is modded, but it only has cosmetic mods.

For the past couple days, the engine has made a whining noise when accelerating. I figured I'd just take it in this weekend.

I was getting off the interstate today and my clock and radio slowly faded to dark. I was about a mile from my destination so I figured I'd just try to make it there. About 20 seconds later the car starts jumping and all my emergency lights and chimes start going off. Then I lost ABS, airbags, powersteering, etc. Luckily, I was right by the Nissan dealership. So I pull into the intersection to cross 3 lanes of traffic and the car dies right in the middle of the intersection. I was in motion when the car died.

Thankfully some Nissan mechanics saw the whole thing happen and helped me push it across the intersection and into the lot.

The car is at the dealership now. I just want to hear what you guys think happened since I know a lot of you know what you're talking about.

[Angrybird 12]

Same thing happened to my Lumina, it was the altenator... My radio was the first indication, then it started missing. I was lucky to make it back home while it was still running.

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Originally Posted by Angrybird 12

Same thing happened to my Lumina, it was the altenator... My radio was the first indication, then it started missing. I was lucky to make it back home while it was still running.

I figured it was the alternator. Thanks for the quick response, Angrybird.

[FenwickHockey65]

Alternators are relatively inexpensive to replace, luckily.

Poor Maxima.

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The battery is dead now too.

I just hope they'll be done by the end of the day.

[Angrybird 12]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

Alternators are relatively inexpensive to replace, luckily.

Poor Maxima.

Sometimes cheap, I have seen them as high as $350 just for the alternator.

[FenwickHockey65]

Which is why I said relatively.

I've never seen one cost over $200 myself.

[MTNdew]

im a tech at a nissan dealer. sounds like a alternator issue. if you go with aftermarket parts the price shouldnt be that bad. generally nissan OEM parts are not cheap.

[Angrybird 12]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

Which is why I said relatively.

I've never seen one cost over $200 myself.

The one I put on my S10 a few months ago was rebuilt and was $150 with a lifetime warranty. The cheapest one was a 90 day warranty for $90.
I can remember putting one on my 89 Chevy truck for $65.

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Originally Posted by MTNdew

im a tech at a nissan dealer. sounds like a alternator issue. if you go with aftermarket parts the price shouldnt be that bad. generally nissan OEM parts are not cheap.

Thanks for your help.

I know this is only an estimate, but how long do you think the repair will take (on average)?

[MTNdew]

if it is a alternator we charge 3.0hrs for install and the price for the alternator is going to be right around $350 OEM. i am assuming its a 3.5L. there was a few in 2001 that still ran the 3.0L

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Originally Posted by MTNdew

if it is a alternator we charge 3.0hrs for install and the price for the alternator is going to be right around $350 OEM. i am assuming its a 3.5L. there was a few in 2001 that still ran the 3.0L

So it should be done by today?

The dealership called and said I have a dead alternator.

[FenwickHockey65]

If it's just the alternator I'd be very surprised if it isn't finished today.

[MTNdew]

the jobs pays about 3.0hrs (thats what we charge) and it generally takes about 2.5-3.0hrs. no reason why it shouldnt be done today unless they are extremely busy. they should update you and give appx. time frame when it will be done.