I've got a 2010 G37x S I didn't drive much for this last winter, I'm in Maine, and the battery went dead mid winter.

Today AAA came out to test the entire starting system.
Battery was drained but will likely take a full charge again the tech said. He said the starter was okay. This printout he showed me read to him as a weak and dying alternator. He said the alternator was not charging the battery fully and was actually draining it.

While he could have sold me a battery right there (mobile battery replacement service) he said it would have no warranty because the alternator would drain it.

I took it to my local Infiniti dealership to have it tested but they want about $700 which includes shop hour rate and parts.

Isnt that too much for an alternator replacement even at a luxury service department?

I'm not at all sure if I trust these tickertape machines.

The AAA driver only knows his machine he said so is he correct about his alternator knowledge? I actually already have a new Optima red top but was going to put it in my other G37.

I suppose the Infiniti shop will sort it all out but I wanted to run those repair prices and this experience with AAA battery Replacement Service by this community.

Worried about being taken for a ride on this dead battery. It is 4 years old and the original.

Before this last winter the only problem was a sluggish start so I replaced my spark plugs which were due to be replaced.

 

I also have a bad tire sensor monitor according to my Infiniti shop. They pointed this out today when I went in.

He said when the tire pressure sensor light is flashing when you start and that it shouldn't flash -just be on if the pressure is low.

$130 for one sound right? That was the quote. Unlucky day or something.


EDIT: I was wondering, if that sensor is bad, if it could have drained my battery. It only blinked a few times when we started the car...

 

I recently bought an alternator for $160 and it took me about 3 hours to replace it. Your call...

 

I know but is OEM alternator worth 3x what you paid? I mean I can't install it myself.
Of course the service manager said I can use aftermarket parts but they may not last as long.

That is their pitch.

Wasn't yours aftermarket though? Are you confident it will last?

I don't work on cars and especially my own. Would I do just as well with a small garage if they can get an Infiniti alternator that cheap? Rates would be about $70 an hour vs $128.

I can work on aircraft but I don't touch my cars.

 

Infiniti service department says aftermarket alternator may not last as long. Ha! Your OEM died in under 4 years. Almost every aftermarket one has a lifetime replaced warranty. Tell him if he can natch that in writing you'll buy his.

After he laughs at you and tells you there's no way he can do that and gives you more BS as to why you should spend your money with him, go to most any auto parts store or starter/alternator shop and have your OEM tested again to ensure that's the problem. If it fails you can have it rebuilt for probably under $100. Or buy a new one for about $200 plus core charge. I'd be surprised if remove/replace costs you more than $100-200 at any reputable shop.

 

That is EXACTLY what I was thinking. As a matter of fact I just emailed VIP Auto/Orielly's Parts to ask how much it would be if I needed to replace it with them. I think my only concern is if my Infiniti is in safe hands at a non-Infiniti dealership where they service mostly Ford/Chevy. ACDelco at Orielly's looks okay if it isn't rebuilt. Shouldn't I just stay away from rebuilt even with the warranty? Are there any noteable brands to go with? I know of ACDelco is all.

I hope they email me back soon. Yeah it will be rude to leave the Infiniti dealership after they did diagnostics AND gave me a loaner but I need to save the cost difference. That is a huge difference and I think V.I.P. Auto stands behind their work also. The techs are younger thats all.

They will also test the system again free.

Thank you B.B.

 

I hope they don't try and charge me for the rental now that they wont be servicing the starting system.

I still have that sensor blink for the tire but it wasn't like that before the AAA tech reset my system pulling the battery so ...another no-sale for now.

Do dealers up and charge you if they provide this level of service with a rental before finding anything wrong with your car? Just diagnostics.

I'm not looking for free services but most places don't charge anything to check the starting system. I hope they don't find a fee for me tomorrow. I'm done worrying about it. Stressful

I should have my quote from V.I.P. (New England chain) by tomorrow. Hopefully it will be a huge difference like I am expecting.

My girlfriend was asking why I would put these questions to this forum if you're not all mechanics. I love this forum. It is a great source of information from a consumer view and not necessarily mechanical knowledge. These are the owners paying for repairs on our cars so the opinions carry weight.

I do appreciate it.

 

Alternator's do not kill batteries, bad alternators do not recharge batteries causing them do run out of juice.
Check fluids levels in your battery, if low, fill them up and charge the battery. Test or have your battery tested and your alternator. If the battery holds charge it's your alternator, have it replaced. If the alternator is working the battery may have a short and or dead cell(s) and need replacing.

 

Simple question, since it still isnt fixed (I have two of these-lazy of me) and I think this could be my answer....

My passenger rear door lock is electronicly inoperable. Could the activated security system cosntantly trying to lock this door run the battery down?

It is all I can think of at this point.

The Infiniti service manager told me thier computers told them I left the car in auxillary.
So I said "Duh" and New Car and paid the shop fee of $52 and they charged the battery --Dead 6 days later.

That Security System drain from the lock??

My next option is taking it to Honda, Toyota, of Mazda dealership garage since the nearest other Infiniti dealer is over 100 miles away. I'm not writing off my local Infiniti shop but the service manager has raised my doubts before and I'm not feeling confident trying them again.
Service manager is thinking I left it in auxiliary again......

I still have a new battery. Afraid it'll ruin if I don't get this electronic problem properly diagnosed, you know.

Thanks enthusiasts

 

There are a couple of simple things that you can do prior to seeking professional assistance.

First purchase a battery hydrometer. About $10.00 to test the individual cells in your battery.



Next purchase a simple voltmeter from Amazon of Harbor Freight
About another $10.00

Put the voltmeter across your positive and negative battery terminals with the engine off. You should see a reading of 12.6 volts

Next have someone start the vehicle and observe the voltmeter.
If the alternator is working properly you should see a reading of around 14.4 volts.

If you don't see an increase in voltage on the voltmeter across the battery terminals with the vehicle running then perhaps you do have a defective alternator but it could also be a slipping or incorrect belt on the alternator.

Perhaps you can locate a starter/alternator shop that can test and rebuild your existing alternator if that is even necessary.
An alternator is a pretty simple electrical device with bearings, a dirty armature, or defective diodes as possible root cause failures.
It is a much better solution to have your existing alternator rebuilt by a qualified shop than risk a rebuilt failure or paying a dealer the huge markup and labor rates that they charge.

Just my $.02

Good luck

Telcoman