MSA Alternator upgrade

[northernz]

Anyone else have problems with the MSA internal regulator alternator upgrade? Mine seems to cut in and out, the lights dim perceptibly and the amp gauge jumps as the regulator cuts in and out. Switched back to the old alternator and external regulator and everything works fine.

[CoastGuardZ]

Just did the upgrade the other day... positive experience so far. I used the adaptor but purchased a reman alternator from a local parts store.

Went from 13.7vdc to 14.8vdc. Lights are brighter, signals blink faster, wipers are quicker, and the stereo is louder... alright just kidding about that one!

[Zed Head]

Those might be the signs of a bad alternator. I had pulsing dim lights on my 95 Pathfinder when its alternator went bad.

[Zs-ondabrain]

Yup, sounds like the Alternator. Try another one and go from there.

Dave

[northernz]

Thanks guys,

I guess I will contact MSA. This alternator was put in less than 250 miles ago.

Failing that I'll take it to a repair shop. It puts out power, just seems the regulator is faulty.

[CoastGuardZ]

A lot of auto part stores can test the alternator too.

[Zed Head]

Thanks guys,

I guess I will contact MSA. This alternator was put in less than 250 miles ago.

Failing that I'll take it to a repair shop. It puts out power, just seems the regulator is faulty.

When I had my alternator fixed (I was working big hours at the time so didn't do it myself, plus there is a lot of stuff under a Pathfinder hood) the Nissan service manager told me that the newer alternators could be damaged if you jumped a car with your engine running. The spikes through the jumper cables going from a dead battery to generating voltage when the other car started or something like that. I had just given someone a jump with my engine running a few weeks before so maybe there's something to it.

Just a thought on why your new one may have gone bad.

[northernz]

I have never had to boost the car, the alternator just went bad really quick! Is it possible to hook it up wrong? Maybe I did myself!

Mark