engine NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID 2009 L32A / 4.G First Responders 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 Locations and Descriptions ........................................................................\
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Battery Information .......................................................................\
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Low Voltage Battery ........................................................................\
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High Voltage Battery ........................................................................\
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High Voltage Battery Specifications ........................................................................\
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High Voltage Battery Recycling ........................................................................\
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High Voltage Safety .......................................................................\
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High Voltage Safety System ........................................................................\
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Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) and Seat Belt Pre-tensioners ................................................. - 13 - 
Emergency Response ........................................................................\
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Vehicle Cut Sheet ........................................................................\
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Automatic Door Locks (Not Applicable to 2007 or 2008 Model Years) ...................................................... - 16 -  
Extrication .......................................................................\
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Alternative High Voltage System Shut Down Procedure ........................................................................\
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Fire ...................................................................\
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Recovery/recycling of the Ni-MH high voltage battery ........................................................................\
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Spills ........................................................................\
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First Aid ........................................................................\
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Submersion .............................................................\
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Roadside Assistance .......................................................................\
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Towing ........................................................................\
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Fuel-Filler Door Opener ........................................................................\
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Spare Tire ........................................................................\
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Jump Starting ........................................................................\
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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 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, the gasoline engine and the traction motor are off,
however the vehicle remains operational.

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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 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

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Hybrid System Locations and Descriptions




Component Location Description
1. Electric Air
Conditioning
Compressor Engine compartment, front
passenger side
Electric motor driven 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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Jump Starting






















1. Locate the HEV fusible link box located behind the engine air
cleaner.

2. Push the tab (A) in and lift up to remove the lid and expose the
remote positive (+) battery terminal (B).



















DANGER:
• The engine may start at any time without warning when the ignition is on and the Hybrid System is
in the READY mode. When jump starting keep your hands, clothing, hair and tools away from
fans, belts and any other parts that can move to avoid personal injury.
• If done incorrectly, jump starting can lead to a battery explosion, resulting in severe injury or death.
It could also damage the vehicle.
• Explosive hydrogen gas is always present in the vicinity of the battery. Keep all sparks and flames
away from the battery.
• Do not allow battery fluid to come into contact with eyes, skin, clothing or painted surfaces. Battery
fluid is a corrosive sulfuric acid solution which can cause severe burns. If the fluid should come
into contact with anything, immediately flush the contacted area with water.
• Whenever working on or near a battery, always wear suitable eye protectors (for example, goggles
or industrial safety spectacles) and remove rings, metal bands, or any other jewelry. Do not lean
over the battery when jump starting.
• Do not attempt to jump start a frozen battery. It could explode and cause serious injury.
• The vehicle has an automatic engine cooling fan. It could come on at any time. Keep hands and
other objects away from it.
• Always follow the instructions below. Failure to do so could result in damage to the charging
system and cause personal injury.

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3. If the booster battery is in another vehicle, position the vehicles (E) and (F) shown in the illustration
below, to bring the batteries near each other.

Do not allow the two vehicles to touch.

4. Apply the parking brake. Move the shift lever to P (P ark). Switch off all unnecessary electrical systems
(lights, heater, air conditioner, etc.).

5. Remove the vent caps (if so equipped) on the booster battery and cover the battery with an old cloth
(G) to reduce the explosion hazard.
6. Connect jumper cables in the sequence illustrated (A), (B), (C), (D).























7. Start the engine of the booster vehicle and let it run for a few minutes.
CAUTION:
• The booster battery must be rated at 12 volts. Use of an improperly rated battery can damage
the vehicle.
• Always connect positive (+) from booster vehicle to remote positive (+) battery terminal.
• Always connect negative (-) from booster vehicle to body ground (for example, strut mounting
bolt, engine lift bracket, etc.).
• Make sure the jumper cables do not touch moving parts in the engine compartment and that the
cable clamps do not contact any other metal.