So last Monday (April 6, 2009) on my way home from work I knew that something was terribly wrong with my mode of transportation, besides the fact that the paint is peeling. Every time I would come to a stop the engine would sputter and the electrical in the car, the dash, radio and lights would dim or shut off. I knew this could only mean a few things, the cheapest being a new battery would be required. Next a much more expensive would be a new alternator. Finally the car was dying and this would be its final drive home, a little over the top I know.

So on Tuesday morning I called into work and advised them that I would be late. I took the battery in to be tested and was hoping that 30 minutes latter I would be driving home with a new battery and the problem would be fixed. You see I can do batteries. They tested the battery and it did not appear to be bad so they offered to charge it and then redo the test to determine if it is holding its charge. They did and it was. This narrowed the possibilities down and I saw dollar signs, not the good kind either

On the way back to the house to determine how we would be working transportation I remembered that I have one of those tear your vehicle down and put it back together books I got many years ago and have never really used. I determined that I would replace the alternator myself. Now I have never really done anything like this before. In fact the last time I tried something like this the car sat in our garage for a few months, but with the need to save money weighing heavy on my mind I resolved that I could do it.

As the weekend approached I started doubting myself and the time that it would take for me to get it done. By Thursday afternoon I was determined to call Nissan and take it in o get fixed. Who was I to think that I had the time, the know how, or the patience to actually replace something myself?

Then as we were sitting at DQ with the kids I decided to ask my brother if he has ever replaced one and to my surprise he nodded in the affirmative. See I had been mislead into believing that although he does much of his own car repairs that he would NOT touch an alternator, this in fact was one of the biggest factors in scaring me away from doing it.

he assured me however that he had and does change alternators in his car. I explained my fear of the belts and and he again assured me that i could do it, with his help of course. So I got on the phone, gotta love cell phones, and called the two local auto parts stores near by, both had the part and I went and picked it up.

We returned home and while Mom and the kids colored eggs Big Dog and I replaced my alternator. It took us just under an hour and tested perfect when we were done. I turned the car on and . . . it worked great.

Thanks to a great brother and teacher I am pretty confident that I can ask him to “help” me again if needed and he will get it done again with great results!

Thanks Big Dog!!!!