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I recently heard about the alternator recall, and was wondering if I should bring it in for the replacement.
I've read that the recall affects Muranos built before 9/24/04, but the Nissan Customer Service agent wasn't able to tell me my date of manufacture through my VIN.
In any case, does any one know of the extent of this bad alternator, i.e. does it affect every Murano, or just a small percentage? Mine's been running for 8300 miles trouble free, so I'm hoping it should have already shown reliability problems. Does the battery warning light come on first to indicate a bad alternator/low battery charge?
I really don't want to take my car in to the dealer service center, since I've heard horrible stories about other stuff breaking down after the alternator was changed, due to bad workmanship putting the stuff back together.
Also, with the holiday travelling season, I'm wondering if I should leave my Murano at home and take my coupe out instead, lest I gt stuck on some country road in the cold because of the alternator.
From the service report: "Customer states rubbing noise from front of vehicle while driving."
"Performed inspection. Detected noise (rattling) from front of vehicle. Performed chassis ear test. Noise from inside auto trans. Performed performance test. Line pressure at idle 110 PSI. Stall test 830 PSI. No DTC malfunctioned stored in memory. Checked auto trans fluid / not burnt. Removed auto trans pan for inspection. Detected metal shaving inside pan and small metal debris all over magnets. Further inspection detected differential idler and input gear failed and damaged other components. Replaced auto transmission unit"
This whole thing started above 11,000 ft with the throttle position sensor failing, and went from there over about 4,000 miles. Alternator was replaced at that point, too. Noise became gradually noticible over last 2,000 miles, if windows open and radio A/C off etc.
I still like the car
Thanks for the reply. Yeah, I've heard really bad things about Nissan dealership service departments and their ineptitude, so I don't want to send my Murano in if it's unnecessary.
The funny thing is, I did give my VIN to the Nissan customer service agent, (who was from an Indian call center nonetheless), and she did say it was part of the recall. I'm more incluned to believe your statement, since you have a Jan '05 Murano, so I think I'll stay away from the dealership for now.
Thanks again!
2. Date of manufacture: open the driver's door, and down low on the latch post is a white sticker...it will have the month and date. My VIN 5W413599, purchased in Jan 05, was made (in Japan) in 11/04. Check your manufacture date that way, and the VIN and the alternator situation should be clear.
3. The Throttle position sensor issue is real...the failure to accelerate when you hit the gas...the "Service Engine Soon" light goes on...this is cured by turning off ignition, wait 30 seconds, pray, and restart. I personally believe a lot of folks have had alternators, entire transmissions and batteries replaced because of this. And when a garage goon gets a wrench into your robotic-made-complicated Murano, only God knows what will happen next...John B...
Driving in snow with 15K....7K troublefree since TPS replaced. However, driving with all fingers crossed. Like petting someome's pit bull in the back of an old truck...very carefully and without great faith. John B.
You can't find them online directly, but I have been in contact with Michelin directly....if you contact Tire Rack, they can get them for you....They are OEMs for the 2006 Ford Explorer, but they ARE available to the public....they are the Michelin Cross Terrain SUV tire, NOW AVAILABLE in 235/65/R18...they arent even listed yet at Michelin's website, but, by calling them and having them communicate with Tire Rack, I got them!! So go to tirerack.com, or, call Michelin directly at 1-800-847-3435...you can also get them with RAISED WHITE LETTERS!!!
Thats what I did, and they look awesome, baby!! Quiet ride, aggressive-looking, great road-holding, and GREAT in the snow!! Pass on the news! The Goodyear Witch is Dead!!
It has been a year since I had my 04 SL AWD Mo. No major problems(knock on wood) There is a rattle from the front side corner where the speaker is when going over bumps it rattles which is annoying, and now there is a minor humming or buzzing sound coming from the main console when accelerating. It comes and goes. Anyone come across the rattling noise from the front dash or buzzing noise?
I guess to pay so much money and the vehicle only a year old that you start to hear the rattles and squeaks. I'm disappointed in the quality of the vehicle.
thanks
I am still looking for a good cleaner/protectant for the dash and other "hard plastic" interior parts. The Armorall seems to leave it with a uneven color finish and I have read where other cleaners have actually discolored the dash. Any insight would be appreciated. Other then that the vechile is performing great and being a 1st time Nissan owner - very pleased to date.
Thanks for the tip about the date of manufacture for the Murano. I haven't noticed it on the door post, since it's my wife's car, but I'll check it out.
Regarding the TPS issue, is that also part of a Nissan recall, or can I just drive the Murano into a dealership and have them inspect it without charge? I haven't been able to find any information on a TPS recall.
Thanks for your help again.
The TPS has never been a recall. I have no idea of what percent failure triggers recall...on Murano, I would bet that if it has not failed, it won't be "testable" as bad. It's a wireless deal that transmits accelerator position to the engine...??? leap forward or backward???
I also asked my reliable foreman at Central Valley Nissan, Modesto....11 years in the slot...."we have had six TPS failures in three years, and the CVT is essentially trouble-free. We have replaced one in that time."
Now, I can only take it for what it says...If your own personal CVT fails, you know it...but I don't think Bill would BS me...he stated the most common thing is for the Jiffy Lube guys putting ATF in it....that is why the dip stick is nearly people proof and hard to remove for the average Joe Jiffy...
I am pleased with our M...a whole lot better than my A6T which went from Car of the Year in 01 to "Avoid" four years later in Consumer's. JOHN B
I ride horses and I only use the best products on my $ leather equipment. Much to my surprise and enjoyment the company's who products I use to protect my leather (I even use their products on our couches!) recently started making a vinyl, rubber and plastic protectant. It is called Vinylex and is made by Lexol. I use it everywhere I don't have leather- rubber seals around the door frames, vinyl dashes, plastic... EVERYWHERE! I even use it in my 87 Porsche and I'm really picky about "my baby". It has DH-60 UV Screen in it. It leaves a nice uniform matte shine and IS NOT GREASY. I honestly cannot say enough about this product!
I had it in the shop before Christmas and they told me it was the drive shaft. "I was lucky b/c they just had a Murano in last month and it took a lot of trial and error to figure out what the noise was." Just my luck! Anyway- part is on order. Not a huge deal.
I have 10,000 miles. The alternator died on me at one point, have a few squeaks here and there. I still love my Murano though! My dealership is good, which makes a big difference too.
Well, I checked the date sticker on my Murano, and the VIN #, and it falls within the ones listed. What's more, the date of Mfg is actually 8/04, meaning that there was a 7 month lag from manufacture till when I bought it off the lot in March 05.
Not too sure how that happened, but I bought my Murano from Town North Nissan in Austin, TX.
In this case, I'll probably be considering sending my MU in for the alternator recall.
Thanks for all you help on this.
Rubber smell...do you think, since all three vehicles smell like rubber, that there is rubber tire dust coming up from your unimproved road, landing on hot catalytic converters? Especially if your dealer inspected and probably looked for rubber hoses near hot exhaust ducts...
Just a thought. JOHN B
That's exactly whatI was thinking. I'm not sure why it took so long for the Murano to get delivered to Austin.
As far as I know, the dealer sold me my Murano as an '05, and it is indeed an '05 because of its color; Platinum is only offered on '05 Muranos and later. The previous color was some kind of yellowish silver.
In any case, I hope other potential car buyers will pay attention to this when they have their vehicle delivered. I sure know I will!
I am planning on bringing it in to the dealer as well.
Just wondering what the dealer said?
my car is garaged but out all day. it appears that the newer nissans have a better paint job. just wax a little more often. use a liquid or spray way to ease the job.
Just had a goodyear tire blow out on my 2 month old 2005 SL Murano...thought that was my only 'surprise' for the day...wrong...warning...the goodyear tires on the murano have been on back order for several months. Something to keep in mind if you want goodyear replacements..plan ahead, I guess.
On the Throttle position sensor failure: "That has been relatively frequent...we have replaced about 20...but once replaced, it never has happened again, which must mean Nissan has re-designed it. There is no way to tell if TPS is going to fail, but 99% do not."
Alternator: "there was something wrong with the series recalled in the VIN numbers and the 05's have not had a problem."
OK..there are three things. Take it as you will. The above post by u1dery really is a killer...I wish him well and can only hope better metal sits in my 05 brakes...
Thanks...John B.
Regards, Sharon B
Yes,I would get another Murano..but I would lease it...because, as with my Audi, after 4 years, when the warranty is up, you can give it back if it has been a traitor. If you own it, you cannot just walk away. I bought the 2001 Pathfinder this year...after four years of bulletproof leasing action...I will do same with Murano IF, when lease is up, and warranty is gone, it has proven reliable. Right now, I am not sure...I have asserted on these posts over and over..and you will see the same thread in Audi, BMW and other sites...cars are SO DARNED COMPLICATED now that 1. servicepeople don't know beans 2. parts are "backordered" and 3. stuff happens..a lot.
Indeed, when a car has 27 individual motors...electric and the gas biggie, (Cadillac Escalade 05)...is it beyond imagination that stuff will break ove 4 years? My MGB '70 had ONE gas motor and one electric (windshield wipers) much less 25 others. And even two were a problem... John B
1. noticable pre-ignition, even with premium (different brands) on slight accel at lower speed. anyone else have this problem or a solution?
2. there is a crunching sound which sometimes comes out of the right front end on hard left turns. problem/solution?
3. loose drivers seat. had it fixed once and came back. has anyone had this fix and not have the problem again. its a waste of time to fix and possibly have it worse the next time.
4. any decent deals for a service contract for the murano??
thanks. rr70
I'm wondering if I can get a smoother ride be changing shocks, looking for suggestions based on experience.
My 97 nissan pickup is quiter than this expensive vehicle!!! :mad:
The only major thing that was done to my MO was the current recall on the alternator and the mechanic spilled the rad fluid all over. I called the mechanic and told me how hard it was to replace the alternator. The two problems that my dealer here can't fix is my windshield washer . The pressure on the the passenger side is weak. They also can't seem to fix the light that is supposed to go 'ON' on the switch to engage the AWD.
Parts on both problems were replaced but I still got the same problem. Although minor, it irritates me because they can't seem to figure out the root of the problem. Other than than, my MO is still in good shape. The best looking small SUV!
tidester, host
-john :confuse: