NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID 2007 L32A / 4.G Dismantling Guide
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Foreword........................................................................\
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About the Nissan Altima Hybrid........................................................................\
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Altima Hybrid Identification........................................................................\
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VIN Location........................................................................\
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Engine Compartment........................................................................\
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Exterior........................................................................\
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Interior........................................................................\
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Hybrid System........................................................................\
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Component Location and Description........................................................................\
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Battery Information........................................................................\
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Low Voltage Battery........................................................................\
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High Voltage Battery........................................................................\
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Recovery/Recycling of the Ni-MH High Voltage Battery........................................................................\
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High Voltage Safety........................................................................\
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High Voltage Safety System........................................................................\
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Precautions for Dismantling........................................................................\
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Spills........................................................................\
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First Aid........................................................................\
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Vehicle Cut Sheet........................................................................\
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Dismantling the High Voltage System........................................................................\
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Service Disconnect........................................................................\
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Alternative High Voltage System Shut Down Procedure........................................................................\
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Removal of HV Battery........................................................................\
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Removal of HV Components........................................................................\
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Foreword 
 
Nissan released the Altima Hybrid in North America in January 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 technicianin 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.   
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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: 1N4CL21E67C051138 
 
An Altima Hybrid is identified by the 4th alphanumeric character: C 
 
 
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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 block3.Inverter unit 
4. High voltage harness (orange) 5. Transaxle 6.Electric air conditioning 
compressor 
7. Gasoline engine A. HV electrical connector :Vehicle front 
 
 
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Exterior 
 
• 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. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interior 
 
• 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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Hybrid System 
 
Component Location and Description 
Component Location Description 
1. Electric Air 
Conditioning 
Compressor 
Engine compartment, front 
passenger side 
Motor driven electric air conditioning compressor supplied 
with 245 volts DC. 
2. Electric Power 
Steering   
Engine compartment, on 
steering rack 
A 42 volt DC assist motor is used for the electric power 
steering (EPS) system.  
3. EPS DC/DC 
Converter 
Trunk area, mounted to top 
of high voltage battery 
Converts 245 volts DC (high voltage) to 42 volts DC (low 
voltage) for the EPS. 
4. High Voltage 
Battery 
Trunk area, mounted to 
cross member and behind 
rear seat  
245 volt DC Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) battery 
consisting of 34 low voltage (7.2 volt) modules connected 
in series.  
5. DC/DC 
Converter 
 
Trunk area, under front left 
cover of the high voltage 
battery 
Converts 245 volts DC (high voltage) to 12 volts DC (low 
voltage) for charging the 12 volt battery. 
6. Service 
Disconnect 
 
Trunk area, on the 
passenger side of the high 
voltage battery 
Used to disable the high voltage system.  
7. High Voltage 
Harnesses  
•Trunk area, on high 
voltage battery and EPS 
DC/DC converter 
•Under passenger side 
rear seat and floor pan 
•Engine compartment, on 
rear, driver side and front 
Orange colored power cables carry high voltage direct 
current (DC) between the high voltage battery, EPS 
DC/DC converter, inverter unit, and electric air 
conditioning compressor. There are two cables which also 
carry 3-phase alternating current (AC) between the 
inverter unit and transaxle. 
NOTE: 
High voltage cables under the vehicle floor are encased in 
a black plastic protector. 
8. Transaxle  
 
Engine compartment, on 
driver side 
Contains a traction motor and generator used to drive the 
front wheels and recharge the high voltage battery. 
9. Inverter Unit Engine compartment, front 
driver side 
Changes the 245 volts DC from the high voltage battery to 
3-phase 650 volts AC to power the transaxle. The inverter 
unit also changes AC electricity from the transaxle to DC 
that recharges the high voltage battery. 
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Battery Information 
 
The Altima Hybrid utilizes two batteries in order to supply both low and high voltage. 
 
Low Voltage Battery 
  
The Altima Hybrid contains a lead-acid 12 volt DC low voltage 
battery. The low voltage battery is located in the passenger rear 
quarter panel well of the trunk and is concealed by a trim cover. 
The negative (-) 12 volt battery cable can be accessed through 
an access panel in the trim cover. 
 
The 12 volt battery powers the vehicle’s 12 volt electrical 
system, similar to a conventional vehicle. As with conventional 
vehicles, the 12 volt battery is grounded to the metal chassis of 
the vehicle. However, the 12 volt battery is charged by the high 
voltage battery through the DC/DC converter. 
 
High Voltage Battery  
 
The Altima Hybrid contains a Ni-MH 245 volt DC high voltage 
battery. The high voltage battery is enclosed in a metal case, 
which is isolated from high voltage, and is securely mounted in 
the trunk area behind the rear seat and is concealed by a trim 
cover. The service disconnect can be accessed through an 
access panel in the trim cover. 
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 The 245 volt battery powers the vehicle’s high voltage electrical 
system. The high voltage battery consists of 34 low voltage (7.2 
volt) Ni-MH battery modules connected in series to produce 
approximately 245 volts DC. Each Ni-MH battery module is 
sealed in a non-spillable plastic case. The electrolyte used in t
Ni-MH battery module is an alkaline mixture of potassium and sodium hydroxide. The electrolyte is abso
into the battery cell plates and forms a gel that should not normally leak, even in a collision. In the unlikely 
event that the high voltage battery is overcharged, the modules vent gases directly outside the vehicle through 
a vent hose.  
he 
rbed 
 
The high voltage battery supplies power to the following:  
• Power cables 
• EPS DC/DC converter 
• DC/DC converter 
• Inverter unit 
• Transaxle 
• Electric air conditioning compressor 
 
High Voltage Battery Specifications 
High voltage battery voltage 245 V 
Number of Ni-MH battery modules in the pack 34 
Ni-MH battery module voltage 7.2 V 
Ni-MH battery module dimensions 5 x 1 x 11 in. (125.5 x 25.1 x 276.1 mm) 
Ni-MH module weight 2.2 lbs  (1.0 kg) 
Ni-MH high voltage battery dimensions 8 x 34 x 19 in. (200.8 x 853.4 x 476.9 mm) 
Ni-MH high voltage battery weight 114.6 lbs  (52 kg) 
  
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Recovery/Recycling of the Ni-MH High Voltage Battery 
The high voltage battery is recyclable. For information regarding recycling of the high voltage battery, contact 
the nearest Nissan dealer or Nissan customer assist ance at: United States: 1-800-NISSAN-1 (1-800-647-7261) 
or in Canada: 1-800-387-0122.