Hi everyone,

I just bought a 2001 Altima GXE with 113 K miles on it.

Well the very next day i was driving it and at a stop light, it just shut off. I mean the engine stopped.

I tried starting it but after a few cranks i pushed it to a gas station.

Tried it again and it started normal. But at the next stop light did the same thing.

I have already changed the fuel filter. What would the problem be.

I have noticed this happens often when i drive the car for about 20-30 minutes. (when the engine is hot, not overheating, but normal hot)

What could be the problem???

I have already researched it a bit, some say fuel pump, others say camshaft and crankshaft sensor, some say oil in distributer.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks.

p.s. just checked the distributer and everything is clean inside, no oil or dirt.
Modified by hassan385 at 9:14 AM 7/20/2008

The #1 problem in the Altima is the Intake Manifold Gasket. You may have this problem. It's about a $6 part but $600 job.

I would check the wires and spark plugs first but it really sounds like the intake manifold gasket. Check this website out, which is full of complaints like yours.

http://www.carcomplaints.com/N...shtml

Thanks kennedy33,

I took it to Autozone and had it checked for "Check Engine" light, turns out it is giving a P0340 code for "Camshaft position sensor". I took the distributor off , opened it as much as i could, down to the circular metal plate with small slits on it. Cleaned everything and put it back. Since then, about 2 weeks ago, no more "check engine" or stalling problem.

Thank you guys.

I'll keep you posted if the problem(s) returns.

I would change out the sensor but that's me. Don't be too surprised if it starts acting up again.

i tried to find just the sensor but was told by autozone that they only come with the distributor.

Even in the Nissan altima FSM, it said that if the sensor is bad, change the distributor.

Where can i find just the sensor?

Thanks.

Time for a replacement dist. Go Nissan OEM if you can. The price is up there but the lack of BS is worth it.