NISSAN Altima Hybrid Dismantling Guide 2008
Foreword.....................................................................................................................................................- 3 -
About the Nissan Altima Hybrid............................................................................................................... - 4 -
Altima Hybrid Identification ......................................................................................................................- 5 -
VIN Location.................................................................................................................................................- 5 -
Engine Compartment...................................................................................................................................- 6 -
Exterior.........................................................................................................................................................- 7 -
Interior..........................................................................................................................................................- 7 -
Hybrid System............................................................................................................................................- 8 -
Component Location and Description.......................................................................................................... - 8 -
Battery Information....................................................................................................................................- 9 -
Low Voltage Battery..................................................................................................................................... - 9 -
High Voltage Battery....................................................................................................................................- 9 -
Recovery/Recycling of the Ni-MH High Voltage Battery ............................................................................ - 10 -
High Voltage Safety .................................................................................................................................- 11 -
High Voltage Safety System ......................................................................................................................- 11 -
Precautions for Dismantling....................................................................................................................... - 13 -
Spills...........................................................................................................................................................- 13 -
First Aid......................................................................................................................................................- 14 -
Vehicle Cut Sheet ......................................................................................................................................- 15 -
Dismantling the High Voltage System ...................................................................................................- 16 -
Service Disconnect ....................................................................................................................................- 16 -
Alternative High Voltage System Shut Down Procedure ...........................................................................- 19 -
Removal of HV Battery...............................................................................................................................- 20 -
Removal of HV Components...................................................................................................................... - 22 -
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Foreword
Nissan released the Altima Hybrid in North America in August of 2007. The Altima Hybrid runs on conventional
gasoline and a traction motor. The basic vehicle systems and features of the Altima Hybrid are the same as
those of the conventional Altima, except where noted in this guide. This Dismantling Guide was published to
help educate and assist the technician in the safe handling of the Altima Hybrid and its technology.
A high voltage battery is used to power the traction motor, generator, electric air conditioning compressor,
voltage converters, and inverter unit. A separate 12 volt battery is used to power other electrical devices such
as the radio, horn, headlamps, and instrument cluster gauges. A number of safeguards have been designed to
ensure that the high voltage Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) battery is kept safe and secure in the event of an
accident.
The Altima Hybrid utilizes both low and high voltage systems:
Low voltage system
• A 12 volt DC negative chassis ground body electrical system
High voltage system
• A 245 volt DC high voltage battery
• A harness that carries high voltage between the high voltage battery, converters, inverter unit, transaxle
and electric air conditioning compressor
• A converter which converts 245 volts DC to 42 volts DC for the electric power steering (EPS) system
• A converter which converts 245 volts DC to 12 volts DC for charging the 12 volt battery
• An inverter unit which delivers up to 650 volts AC to the transaxle
• A transaxle which houses a traction motor and generator
• A 245 volt DC, motor driven electric air conditioning compressor
High voltage electrical safety is an important factor in the dismantling of the Altima Hybrid. It is important to
recognize and understand the disabling procedures and warnings throughout this guide.
Additional topics in this guide include:
• Nissan Altima Hybrid identification
• Hybrid system component locations and descriptions
This Dismantling Guide is intended to assist the technician in the safe handling of a Nissan Altima Hybrid.
The information contained in this guide is somewhat simplified and intended to be used as a technical
reference. Please refer to the Nissan Service Manual for information related to vehicle repair.
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About the Nissan Altima Hybrid
There are two power sources stored on board that are used to drive the vehicle:
• Gasoline is stored in a fuel tank and is used to supply the gasoline engine.
• Electricity is stored in a high voltage battery and is used to power the traction motor.
The result of combining these two power sources is improved fuel economy and reduced emissions. The
gasoline engine also powers an electric generator to recharge the high voltage battery; unlike an entirely
electric vehicle, the Altima Hybrid never needs to be recharged from an external electric power source.
Depending on the driving conditions, one or both sources are used to drive the vehicle. The following
information explains how the Altima Hybrid operates in various driving modes:
1. During light acceleration at low speeds, the vehicle is driven by the traction motor. The gasoline engine
is shut off.
2. During normal driving, the vehicle is driven mainly by the gasoline engine. The gasoline engine also
powers the generator to recharge the high voltage battery.
3. During full acceleration, such as climbing a hill, both the gasoline engine and the traction motor drive
the vehicle.
4. During deceleration, such as when braking, the vehicle converts kinetic energy from the front wheels to
electricity that will recharge the high voltage battery.
5. While the vehicle is stopped, such as at a stoplight, both the gasoline engine and the traction motor are
off, however the vehicle remains operational.
- 4 -
Altima Hybrid Identification
In appearance, the Nissan Altima Hybrid is nearly identical to the conventional Nissan Altima.
VIN Location
The VIN can be located on either the front windshield cowl (1) or on the driver’s side B-pillar (2).
Example VIN: 1N4CL21E68C051138
An Altima Hybrid is identified by the 4th alphanumeric character: C
- 5 -
Engine Compartment
The engine compartment of the Altima Hybrid houses an aluminum alloy 2.5 liter gasoline engine, the high
voltage harnesses, fuse/fusible link box, fuse block, inverter unit, transaxle and electric air conditioning
compressor.
Engine Compartment Components and Locations
1. Fuse/Fusible link box 2. Fuse block 3. Inverter unit
4. High voltage harness (orange) 5. Transaxle 6. Electric air conditioning
compressor
7. Gasoline engine A. HV electrical connector : Vehicle front
- 6 -
Exterior
Interior
• A Hybrid logo is located on the right side of the trunk.
• A Hybrid logo is located on each front door above the
body side molding.
• In place of a tachometer, a power meter (1) is used.
• In place of a temperature gauge, a high voltage
battery status meter (2) is used.
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