The max is acting up again...While driving on the highway on sunday night my RPM"s dropped and the car stalled out..About 5 seconds later the RPM's went back up and the car was driving fine..It did that about 4 times last night on the highway..Once i got off the highway it did it again only the car didnt start back up. I had to wait about 15 minutes and then it started. All day today it was fine not one problem.Tonight the same thing happend i was in the middle lane and the car stalled. I pulled over and called a tow truck but before the tow truck came it started..This is the first time this happened with the maxima. I have a 1997 5 speed... just changed my alternator and spark plugs. I have 130 k miles.
It started doing this after i put gas at an Exxon gas station.. Do you guys think it may be the gas? Any help in this matter is greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

 

Plugged fuel filter? or misbehaving fuel pump?
if the rpm drops slowly (imagine a sinus curve), then problem is with fuel delivery. RPM dropping suddenly (squared sinus curve) , is an indication of misfiring.

 

So, it ran fine after the alternator was replaced, but then acted up after you took on the Exxon gas?

If so, bad fuel could be a possibility.

A friend of mine got a load of bad fuel in his tank once from a reputable gas station. Car stalled out, much in the way you described. He had it towed to a shop, where they diagnosed it & lo, behold - the gas tank was full w/ 1/2 gas & 1/2 water!

Just before it stalls out on you, are you getting any warning lights on the dash (blinking, etc)? If so, your problem may be electrical, not fuel.

 

thanks for all your help..
No lights come on.. I drive normaly steady rpms and out of nowhere it just shuts off...It might be the gas..I only put 10 dollars worth of gas last nihgt and filled it up tonight from the gas station i usually go to. The rpms are steady untill the car stalls.. i do not notice any loss of power or anything liek that.. THe alternator was changed about 2 weeks ago..

 

Ok, no dash lights, so I'm gonna go with a fuel supply problem.

Here's an idea: buy an inexpensive siphon from your auto parts store (one with a long, 1/4" I.D. plastic hose) and feed the end all the way to the bottom (very important!) of the fuel tank.

Start siphoning the fuel off into a drainpan, or waste-oil container and observe it's condition. Stop when you have enough of a sample to diagnose.

If you see a substantial quantity of contaminants (particles or sludge), or water, or if the fuel looks milky, muddy in color, or any way other than the way gas should look, there's your problem.

Unfortunately, depending on how much fuel is in the tank, this can be a hassle to deal with. If you have more than a couple gallons in there, the tank will need to be drained off at a qualified shop, which is equipped to dispose of the contaminated fuel.

You should also replace your fuel filter, again, if fuel contamination is your problem.

Good luck!

 

I almost forgot this possibility: failing or clogged fuel pump. (a tank of bad gas could aggravate this condition).

Test:

In a quiet environment, sit in the driver's seat with the door open and your head outside the car.

Turn the ignition from OFF to ON position, so all the dash warning lights appear.
Do not start the car.
When you turn to the ON position, listen for the fuel pump priming at the back of the car. (It should hiss for abount 2 seconds, then stop.)

Does it sound normal to you, or is it choppy or weak? If so, the fuel pump may not be performing properly.

 

You've been a member since 2000 and only have 75 posts........ Amazing.... thats like finding a 95 5 speed Max with only 10,000 miles