My engine seems to stutter and shake like a salsa dancer

[Telly]

I have a 1994 maxima with 160 k on it. I started it one day after a doctors appointment and it just started misfiring . I took the plugs out and #3 cylinder was the only one that had carbon on it So i replaced the cap wires and plugs to no avail Any help on this would be Freaking awesome .

[mtcookson]

With the car running, you can also pull the wire off of each plug one at a time to find out which cylinder isn't firing. Just be careful to not shock yourself. Once you figure out which cylinder isn't firing you can work from there.

It could be an injector so another thing you might do is get a long screw driver, put the screw driver on the injector then put your ear to the handle of the screw driver to listen for to the injectors opening and closing. All of them should be making a fast, steady clicking noise. If you find one that isn't or seems to be out of synch, that is likely your problem.

[tbg3]

Had the same stupid problem on my 93 GXE! Replaced pretty much the entire top of the motor trying to fix it. The engine NEVER showed a code or had ANY of the warning lights come on, but ran like it was missing. Replaced pretty much the entire top of the motor trying to fix it. It was the voltage regulator on the alternator! Seems as though the alternators for these particular cars are not built very well. Replaced the alternator and have not had the problem since. GOOD LUCK!

[Dattebayo]

Seems as though the alternators for these particular cars are not built very well.

And you deduced this from your single experience, eh?

[mtcookson]

The Maxima's definitely had some weak alternators, or at least weak replacements (likely the case). I had 2 alternators bad in the box from AutoZone with the third one finally working... definitely not going to use those again.

[Dattebayo]

The Maxima's definitely had some weak alternators, or at least weak replacements (likely the case). I had 2 alternators bad in the box from AutoZone with the third one finally working... definitely not going to use those again.

Autozone alternators suck period. The only ones anyone should buy are OEM remans. I know they are pricey, but I have run down the same road with every other car I have owned, and Autozone, Advance, Trak Auto have all failed.