Thanks Eric. Guess I'll just have to play the waiting game like everyone else. As I type a commercial for the MO is running on TV. :4:

 

What are the signs of an alternator going bad? I am taking my car in for its first inspection and am going to ask them to check it (@ 13,3xx miles). So far on this trip to the dealer I am having them do the following:
1.) inspect car
2.) change oil
3.) rotate tires
4.) examine and attempt to fix window creaks (business cards are my temporary fix at the moment)
5.) fix the driver seat creak (pretty embarrassing on a $38,000 car)
6.) alternator test??

When I am driving through my neighborhood with the windows down I can hear a small squeling noise coming from the front of the car. It's only audible if i have my foot on the gas or if I am coming down the hill and the engine is holding the car at speed. I am paranoid as can be about this failing...but I still love my car!

 

When my alternator went bad, there were no prior symptoms - no noise, no decrease in power, nothing to indicate failure. In fact, even when the brake and batt light came on, I did not notice any change in vehicle performance. Yeah I know, scary.

Best hope your dealer is aware of this widespread problem and maybe they can do a test on your alternator (what test I am not sure).

 

The vehicle basically runs off the battery and the alternator keeps it charged. So when it dies, there won't be any performance issues until the battery runs down.

When the light comes on, turn off all unnecessary electric devices, radio, lights if possible, climate control and head directly to a dealer, or pull over, turn it off and call for roadside assistance, if you feel that's more appropriate.

If you have to drive it home, and you have a trickle battery charger, then put that on for the night, so you can then take it to the dealer the next morning.

And don't take any crap from the dealer about the battery not being covered. If Nissan's alternator had not prematurely failed, your battery would still be in fine shape. Demand they cover that under warranty as well.

And like Eric says, file your complaint with the NHTSA if you live in the U.S. Anyone know the equivalent Canadian organisation?

 

UPDATE, alternator came in

I called the dealer today and they claimed an alternator came in for me and should be installed tomorrow.

He claimed something like only 29 alternators came into the country (in the latest shipment? dunno) and I was #17 on the list or so. Could be a line for all I know, but I will be happy to have mine and complete my timeline so I can fill out a report for the NHTSA.

 

It seems silly, but every day before I leave for my 140-mile roundtrip commute, I have to be assured that my cell-phone is completely charged. If the alternator and battery die....along with my cell phone, it won't be much fun.

Andy
04 SL AWD, Touring, VDC

 

Had my lights come on last night. Car died just after getting off the highway.

Car was towed to dealer at 8am.

Called at 4pm. They still hadn't looked at it. Claimed were too busy.

Will keep you posted.

I bet at least 2 weeks to fix. Any takers?

 

Failed at 13,000.
2003 SE

The break and battery idiot lights came on. I continued to drive for another day - until I turned on the air conditioner! Then it was, "Engine's off-line Captain!"

 

Alternator replacement

With all these failures maybe the dealers should stock a spare alternator so that there is no delay your Mo back on the road. That is what my dealer did after the first failed alternator took 28 days to get there.

My alternator failed on a Saturday afternoon and was back on the road by 1000 on Monday morning when they thought warranty should be done first. That is what I would call customer service.

 

I've thought that for a while. It doesn't take an Aerospace Engineer to figure that one out... (I used to say Rocket Scientist, but one of my Admin Assistants corrected me about 10 years ago, because she's married to one.)

While Nissan deals with the problem from their OEM manufacturer of the alternator, they could win points with their customers by being prompt in the replacement. It's one thing to have a failure, but if you are treated well in taking care of it, customers will love you.

 

I agree. It doesn’t take a rocket surgeon to figure out the right thing to do.

As it is I am afraid to take my MO on vacation since I could just imagine the nightmare a bad alternator would cause being far from home.

 

Let's enjoy the vacation... A six-pack of beer for me and a six-pack of batteries for the MO and off we go!

 

Again i am posting the NTHSA complain filing page..

Just click this link and you will be redirected to the form page to file the complain:

TO NTHSA, file complain on murano alternator

When i post this link under this same thread, there was only 2 ppl file complain about MO's alternator with NTHSA.
Now there are 6 ppl.

Nthsa innitiate an investigation asap if the defect/complaint is life 'threatening', so when you write your complain, you might want to described it in a 'life threatening' way, if you follow my drift

 

It wouldn't stop me from using it on a vacation. When the lights come on, you drive right to the nearest Nissan Dealer.

I hear they're going to update the Nav software to show all the Nissan Dealers with little Alternator Icons.

 

Ha Ha Ha

 

Alternator Failure update

With some of the Mo owners concerned about customer service while on holidays. When you come to Calgary, Staduim Nissan will take very good care of you and I will meet you for a beer while the repairs are done next door at the bar.

 

Stoker - just to clarify...are you "buying"...you might get a crowd up there if that's the case..hehe

 

Alternator replacement

Stoker - just to clarify...are you "buying"...you might get a crowd up there if that's the case..hehe

For you I will buy, on the sunny deck as I know that Manitoba has not had much sun and warm temperatures this summer. The beer will be cold and the deck Hot.:1: :7:

 

Alternator replaced within 24hrs of dealer realising my car was there (48hrs after they towed it in)

48hrs more to finish the repairs started in december after my headlight theft.

20 minutes to call me back and report they couldn't detect the window rattle, and to tell me the TSB I faxed 'em didn't apply to my car.

Picking it up tonight. Will let you know if all is well.

 

Sounds like you have a good dealer. There's lots of them out there!

 

Hmmm..not the response my post was meant to convey..but I suppose they did ok compared to others.

They replaced my battery under warranty too..so I guess they get brownie points for that too.

They also said they will try to get the aluminum trim replaced under warranty because of the couple of dinks in it. If they manage that they will really be something to write home about.

 

In case anyone is interested, here is the paperwork.

 

Hmmm... I read your post again, then realised it took 3 days, not one, to fix the alternator. I take back what I said....

I still believe they should have one in stock and order a replacement as soon as it gets consumed, because this is a known failure point.

 

Malaycobra - nice they replaced your battery too. I kind of wish they replaced mine, but then I guess its another excuse to get an Optima Red Top sooner.

 

Looks like we get to join your club. Last night on the way home my wife asked why two warning lights were on. I had no idea and had her check the manual. When we got home I called my dealer and he said to get it in ASAP because it was the alternator. Then I told him where I was (about 30 miles from him, Seattle and he is in Auburn) and his responce freaked me a little. He said very fast and loud, "Don't drive down here! You need to find a closer dealer to take it too!" Needless to say I was getting a bit worried. I called up the nearest one, Dowtown Seattle, and they told me to drop it off and they would check it in the morning (today). Haven't heard from them yet. Of course on the way to drop it off all the warning lights went back to normal. Figures. Why do the problems always go away on the way to the dealer? Gremlins I figure. Jeff