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2003 Nissan Altima Belt "flops" and rattles

Tiny
DEHILL
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 81,000 MILES
I bought the car @ 45K miles. I noticed that when the car is put into gear with the air conditioner on the belt "flops" and makes a terrible racket like it really loose. I had the tensioner replaced and a new belt put on. That didn't help. I've had in the shop three times since trying to solve the problem. I've used a Nissan dealer twice and a local mechanic. The car now has 80K miles and is still doing it. Neither shop can tell me why this is happening. The only suggestion they have is that the air compressor may be putting too much drag on the belt and we could replace the compressor to see if that helps. That's an expensive repair when they aren't sure it will fix the problem. Any suggestions?
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Wednesday, April 29th, 2009 AT 4:14 PM

6 Replies

Tiny
DFRANQ
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Hello, I also have the same issue on my 05 altima. I have replaced the compressor along with the tensioner, belt (twice), the motor mount, and serviced the fuel injectors. If your compressor does not make any noise while its operating, I would not change it. A mechanic has advised me that since the noise occurs only while its on drive or reverse, it might be the torque converter which is the transmission.
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Wednesday, April 29th, 2009 AT 6:01 PM
Tiny
DEHILL
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
On yoru 2005, can you see the belt shcaking and flopping? On our 2003 you can see it. It looks like it's really loose but only when the compressor is on and the car is put into gear.
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Thursday, April 30th, 2009 AT 11:01 AM
Tiny
DFRANQ
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Yes I can. This is an on going issue with this model car. It only "flops" when with the A/C on and when its on drive/ reverse. The dealer never gives me a straight answer and they are only out there to take my money. Recently, I replaced the mass air sensor believing it would help, but did not. Now, I am looking at replacing the throttle body position sensor before I crack open the transmissions.
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Friday, May 1st, 2009 AT 5:16 PM
Tiny
DFRANQ
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Did you find the problem? Any new repairs?
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Tuesday, May 12th, 2009 AT 5:51 PM
Tiny
TEAJAY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I have an 04 model. It does the same thing, also only when car is in gear. Since there seems to be so many of these issues is there a way to force a recall?
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Tuesday, June 30th, 2009 AT 6:17 PM
Tiny
ARODERY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Having the loose belt problem. Checked many other sites as well and I am hearing about alternator bearings and a/c clutch (possible motor mount issue by compressor). I had my alternator checked and it is in the red zone. I may change it first as a nissan tech had said when these special alternator bearings go bad, it could cause that problem. I also noticed with the a/c off and the heat on the belt also flops around. So maybe the extra load is an issue. I do not know for sure the fix yet. Never heard that about the tranny.I does not sound right from what I am hearing.
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Friday, July 31st, 2009 AT 10:03 PM

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