NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID 2009 L32A / 4.G Dismantling Guide

- 11 -
DANGER:
•
The high voltage system may remain powered for up to 10 minutes after the vehicle is shut
off.
•
The high voltage battery retains high voltage at all times.
High Voltage Safety

High Voltage Safety System


The high voltage safety system is intended to help keep vehicle occupants, technicians and emergency
responders safe from high voltage electricity.

• A high voltage fuse provides short circuit protection inside the high voltage battery.

• The high voltage safety system is insulated from the metal chassis so there is no possibility of electric
shock when touching the chassis.

• Positive and negative high voltage power cables are connected to the high voltage battery and are
controlled by normally open system main relays (SMR1 and SMR2). When the vehicle is shut off, the
relays stop electrical flow from leaving the high voltage battery.

- 12 -

• A ground fault monitor continuously monitors for high voltage leakage to the metal chassis while the
vehicle is running. If a malfunction is detected, the high voltage ECU will illuminate the hybrid system
warning light in the instrument cluster.

• The high voltage battery relays (SMR1 and SMR2) will automatically open to stop the electrical flow in a
frontal collision that is sufficient enough to activate the supplemental restraint system (SRS).

- 13 -
Precautions for Dismantling


Dismantling the Altima Hybrid may be performed like conventional Nissan vehicles, except as noted in these
guidelines.

Spills

The Altima Hybrid contains the same common automotive fluids used in other non-hybrid Nissan vehicles, with
the exception of the Ni-MH electrolyte used in the high voltage battery. The Ni-MH battery electrolyte is a
caustic alkaline (pH 13.5) that is damaging to human tissues. The electrolyte, however, is absorbed in the cell
plates and should not normally spill or leak out even if a battery module is cracked. Both the metal battery case
and the plastic battery modules could be breached if a catastrophic crash occurred.

A diluted boric acid solution or vinegar can be used to neutralize a Ni-MH battery electrolyte spill, similar to the
use of baking soda to neutralize a lead-acid battery electrolyte spill.

NOTE:
Electrolyte leakage from the high voltage battery is unlikely due to the battery construction and the amount of
available electrolyte contained within the Ni-MH modules. Any spillage would not warrant a declaration as a
hazardous material incident. The technician should follow the recommendations as outlined in this dismantling
guide.

In an emergency, Nissan Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are available by contacting:
United States: CHEMTREC at 1-800-424-9300
Canada: CANUTEC at *666 or 1-613-996-6666 (collect)

• Handle Ni-MH electrolyte spills using the following personal protective equipment:
¾Splash shield or safety goggles (fold down helmet shields are not acceptable for acid or alkaline
electrolyte spills)
¾ Insulated rubber gloves
¾ Acid-resistant apron
¾ Insulated rubber boots
¾ Insulated rubber mats (for connect/disconnect of high voltage battery)
DANGER:
•
Failure to disable the high voltage electrical system before emergency response procedures are
performed may result in serious injury or death from electrical shock.
• Failure to disable the low and high voltage electrical systems before emergency response procedures are
performed may result in serious injury or death from the unintentional deployment of the SRS.
• The Ni-MH battery electrolyte is a caustic alkaline (p H 13.5) that is damaging to human tissues. To avoid
injury by coming in contact with the electrolyte, wear proper personal protective equipment.
WARNING:
• Never assume that the Altima Hybrid is shut off simply because it is quiet.
• Always observe the instrument cluster for the READY operation indicator light (green) status to verify
whether the vehicle is on or shut off. The vehicle is shut off when the READY operation indicator light
(green) is off.
• The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as insulated rubber gloves, insulated rubber boots,
and insulated rubber mats must be used when disabling the high voltage electrical system.

DANGER:
• The Ni-MH battery electrolyte is a caustic alkaline (pH 13.5) that is damaging to human tissues. To
avoid injury by coming in contact with the electrolyte, wear proper personal protective equipment.

- 14 -

• Neutralize Ni-MH electrolyte
¾Use a diluted boric acid solution or vinegar.
¾ Boric acid solution = 800 grams boric acid to 20 liters water or 5.5 ounces boric acid to 1 gallon of
water.

First Aid


Emergency responders may not be familiar with a Ni-MH electrolyte exposure when rendering aid to a patient.
Exposure to the electrolyte is unlikely except in a catastrophic crash or through improper handling. Utilize the
following guidelines in the event of exposure.
• Absorption
¾Perform gross decontamination by removing affected clothing and properly disposing of the
garments.
¾ Rinse the affected area with water for 20 minutes.
¾ Transport patients to the nearest emergency medical care facility.

• Inhalation in non-fire situations
¾ Toxic gases are given off as by-products of combustion. All responders in the Hot Zone should
wear the proper PPE for fire fighting, including SCBA.
¾ Move patients from the hazardous environment to a safe area and administer oxygen.
¾ Transport patients to the nearest emergency medical care facility.

• Ingestion
¾Do not induce vomiting.
¾ Allow patient to drink large quantities of water to dilute the electrolyte (never give water to an
unconscious person).
¾ If vomiting occurs spontaneously, keep the patient’s head lowered and forward to reduce the risk
of asphyxiation.
¾ Transport patients to the nearest emergency medical care facility.
¾ Contact Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222

DANGER:
• The Ni-MH battery electrolyte is a caustic alkaline (pH 13.5) that is damaging to human tissues. To
avoid injury by coming in contact with the electrolyte, wear proper personal protective equipment.

- 15 -
Vehicle Cut Sheet

- 16 -
Dismantling the High Voltage System

Dismantling of the Altima Hybrid may be performed like conventional Niss\
an vehicles, except as noted in these
guidelines.

Service Disconnect


1. Immobilize the vehicle a. Move the shift lever to the P (Park) position.

b. Shut the vehicle OFF by pressing the push-button
ignition switch.
c. Chock the wheels.
d. Set the parking brake.




4. Open the trunk using one of the following methods:
• Intelligent Key button:
Push and hold the trunk release button for longer than
0.5 second to open the trunk.

NOTE:
The trunk release button on the Intelligent Key will not
operate when the ignition switch is in the ON position or
when the trunk cancel switch (located in the glove box)
is in the OFF position.





• Trunk release switch:
The trunk switch is located on the left side of the
instrument panel. To open the trunk, push the switch
downward.

- 17 -
•
Trunk release handle:
a. Remove the door key from the keyfob as
shown.







b. Fold down the rear center seat
armrest/cup holder to reveal the trunk
compartment access panel. Use the door
key to unlock and open the access panel.
Pull the trunk release handle (1).








3. Disconnect the negative (-) 12 volt battery cable by performing the following:
a. Open the access panel (1) inside the lower right-
hand side of the trunk to access the negative (-)
battery cable (2).

b. Disconnect the negative (-) 12 volt battery cable (2)
from the 12 volt battery (3).

- 18 -
DANGER:
•
The high voltage system may remain powered for up to 10 minutes after the vehicle is disabled.
•
To prevent serious injury or death from electrical shock avoid touching, cutting, or breaching any
orange high voltage power cable or high voltage component while the system discharges.
WARNING:
• The SRS may remain powered for up to 3 minutes after the vehicle is disabled.
• To prevent serious injury or death from unintentional SRS deployment, avoid crushing, cutting, or
breaching the SRS components.
• If the disabling procedures cannot be performed completely, proceed with caution as there is no
assurance that the high voltage electrical system, SRS, or fuel pump are disabled.
4. Remove the service disconnect by performing the following as shown:

a. Open the access panel inside the trunk to access the service disconnect.

b. Pull upward (1) on the service disconnect handle and then rotate the handle downward (2).
c. Pull outward (3) on the service disconnect handle to remove the service disconnect from the
battery.
d. Wait 3 minutes before handling SRS system components and 10 minutes before handling high
voltage system components while the system discharges

- 19 -
DANGER:
•
The high voltage system may remain powered for up to 10 minutes after the vehicle is disabled.
•
To prevent serious injury or death from electrical shock avoid touching, cutting, or breaching any
orange high voltage power cable or high voltage component while the system discharges.
WARNING:
• The SRS may remain powered for up to 3 minutes after the vehicle is disabled.
• To prevent serious injury or death from unintentional SRS deployment, avoid crushing, cutting, or
breaching the SRS components.
• If the disabling procedures cannot be performed completely, proceed with caution as there is no
assurance that the high voltage electrical system, SRS, or fuel pump are disabled.
Alternative High Voltage System Shut Down Procedure

NOTE:
If the service disconnect procedure cannot be performed, the following alternative shut down procedure is
acceptable.
1. Locate the fuse/fusible link box (1) under the hood near
the driver side strut tower (2).
• : Vehicle Front










2. Remove the fuse/fusible link box cover and remove the
IGCT 50 amp fusible link (1) from the fuse/fusible link
box (2). If the correct fuse cannot be recognized, pull all
the fuses in the fuse/fusible link box.

Removal of HV Battery

1. Remove the rear seat cushion trim and pad.
• : Vehicle Front
a. Pull the lock (1) at the front bottom of the seat
cushion forward (one for each side), and pull the seat
cushion upward to release the wire (3) from the
plastic hook (2), then pull the seat cushion forward to
remove.
b. Remove the seatback hinge anchor bolts.
c. Lift the seatback off rear parcel panel front hangers
and remove the seatback assembly.


2. Release the rear kicking plate plastic clips (A) and pawls
(B), then remove the rear kicking plates (1).
3. Release the rear body side welts (2) from the body
opening, then remove the rear body side welts.
4. Remove the screw covers (4) and screws from the rear
pillar finishers (3).
5. Release the rear pillar finisher plastic clips (C) and metal
clips (D), then remove the rear pillar finishers.




6. Disconnect the high mounted stop lamp electrical
connector and remove the high mounted stop lamp (1),
(if equipped).
7. Release the rear parcel shelf trim clips (A), then remove
the rear parcel shelf trim (2).







8. Remove the trunk trim from the trunk room.
9. Remove the lower inlet duct bolts (1) and clip (3).
10. Remove lower inlet duct (2) from the upper inlet duct and
HV battery blower motor (4).













- 20 -