charging system issues 1988 d21 - Infamous Nissan

TommyBoy · 03-10-2014, 10:51 AM

I know the alternators are weak, 50 or 60 amps, but recently when im driving the power has been cutting out. The headlights flicker the engine skips some beats, the radio and all other electronics shut off.

I do have one of the altima dual fans hooked up, fog lights, 8 inch sub woofer, then the rest of the oem base model electronics.

I am planning on upgrading to a quest alternator in the coming weeks, but I am driving up to new hampshire this weekend, 3.5 hour drive, and I was hoping there was something I could be over looking.

Any input is better than no input!

P.s. 1988 z24i w/ emissions deleted

alabama_lowlife · 03-10-2014, 12:18 PM

I think you've answered your own question. The fans alone are probably enough. Add a subwoofer and fog lights and the alternator is fighting an uphill battle. You can probably go ahead and upgrade the big 3 (google it if you're not familiar) and the alternator and that may take care of your problems.

jp2code · 03-11-2014, 11:33 AM

You could turn off the amp (pull the fuse) and leave the fog lights off until you get the alternator worked out.

Just a thought.

TommyBoy · 03-11-2014, 10:32 PM

thats what i was planning on, during the day its fine, lighting just throws it over the top

03-10-2014, 10:51 AM	#1
TommyBoy Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: CT Age: 31 Posts: 132 Vehicle: 1988 D21 Thanks: 14 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts	charging system issues 1988 d21 I know the alternators are weak, 50 or 60 amps, but recently when im driving the power has been cutting out. The headlights flicker the engine skips some beats, the radio and all other electronics shut off. I do have one of the altima dual fans hooked up, fog lights, 8 inch sub woofer, then the rest of the oem base model electronics. I am planning on upgrading to a quest alternator in the coming weeks, but I am driving up to new hampshire this weekend, 3.5 hour drive, and I was hoping there was something I could be over looking. Any input is better than no input! P.s. 1988 z24i w/ emissions deleted

03-10-2014, 12:18 PM	#2
alabama_lowlife Owner and Administrator Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: New Brockton, Alabama Age: 42 Posts: 10,886 Vehicle: 2012 370Z, 1970 Datsun 521, 1995 Nissan Hardbody x2, 1994 Hardbody Thanks: 1,123 Thanked 2,266 Times in 1,863 Posts	I think you've answered your own question. The fans alone are probably enough. Add a subwoofer and fog lights and the alternator is fighting an uphill battle. You can probably go ahead and upgrade the big 3 (google it if you're not familiar) and the alternator and that may take care of your problems. __________________

03-11-2014, 11:33 AM	#3
jp2code Software Developer Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Longview, TX [USA] Age: 52 Posts: 11,269 Vehicle: 94 LB 2x4 Manual VG33e Thanks: 1,847 Thanked 1,837 Times in 1,599 Posts	You could turn off the amp (pull the fuse) and leave the fog lights off until you get the alternator worked out. Just a thought. __________________ Joe (not a mechanic!) • Don't have an account? EMAIL ME Factory Service Manuals: https://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/Hardbody/ Walk-through: Checking Nissan Trouble Codes 1994 VG30E to VG33E with H256 Cams

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03-11-2014, 10:32 PM	#4
TommyBoy Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: CT Age: 31 Posts: 132 Vehicle: 1988 D21 Thanks: 14 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts	thats what i was planning on, during the day its fine, lighting just throws it over the top