1999 Maxima suddenly stops while driving - dealer could not find any issue

[hamimp]

I have 1999 Nissan Maxima GLE. During the last 1 month, the car stopped twice while driving or waiting in the traffic. In the first occasion, the ABS light first got turned on. I turned off the car, and after a while, when I started it, I saw the ABS light going on again. Then after driving for about 15 minutes, I suddenly felt that the car did not have any driving power and I saw the airbag light got on. So, I pulled on the side of the road. Then I waited for about 15 minutes and then tried starting the car, it drove fine. I took to dealer next day and they said battery voltage was low. And they charged it and the ABS light was turned off. The dealer said, the car was otherwise in good shape and no repair is needed. After about 15 days in the second occasion: after driving for about 20 minutes, I had to stop in long traffic in downtown and the car died again. I waited half an hour on the side of the road and the car started again. But, within 10 miles, the car again died while waiting in another traffic light. Interesting is that all the 4 lights could be turned on. But, the car would not start even after waiting for 30 min - when I tried to star it, all the dashboard lights would come on. Then I tried a jump start and the car ran fine and it is still running without any issue and I could not reproduce the failure again. Next day, I checked battery/alternator at Autozone and they said charging system is fine. I also had a code check and that was clean too. Then, I took my car again to the same dealer shop (no jump start was needed) and for the last 6 days it was at dealer shop; they drove it for more than 40 minutes for 2 days and could not figure out what is going on. Service manager said, I could take the car back and if it dies next time, we can toe it there. So, I really need the help from here as I dont want to get stranded in the middle of road. Thanks for reading (the posting got long - I wanted to give as detail info as possible).

[jltibbs]

maybe you can start with the fuel filter. make your way to the fuel pump and strainer. check the wires going to the MAF plug, maybe they've come loose. other than that, i do not know. just check those few things bro.

[deadsyfan]

Yep..I know exactly what it is. I had the same problem for about a month. The problem is your alternator. It is beginning to die. And when it does it is a ***** to replace. If you take it to a place like gateway or the dealer it will be around 400. The alternator is a real bizitch to get to on these cars and therefore install is pricey(100 or so). Your problem is identical to mineso as soon as you accept that it is the alternator the quicker your problem will be gone. I wish you the best of luck.

[hamimp]

Thanks for your reply.

How can I check the alternator.

When I took my car to Autozone/NAPA, they told me alternator is good.

Also, dealer did not say it is bad.

Please help.

[MinisterofDOOM]

A failing alternator can be hard to "catch." A lot of the time it's an on-again, off-again thing. Next time your battery light comes on, try and head to the nearest Autozone. Don't turn the car off if you can help it (as it might go back to normal...).

You could also try testing the alternator output voltage yourself (carefully) if you have a multimeter. Should be right about 14v. Try revving the engine with the multimeter hooked up and see if the voltage changes at all.