Hello,

My 2002 maxima was running fine. When I tried to start it last Sunday, it barely turned over - it acted like a dead battery but the battery is good. I turned off the headlights and tried again - it struggled but it started and it ran very rough for a few seconds. I was headed to the airport so I shut it off and took another car.

Monday morning I tried to start the car again - it barely started and ran rough for a few seconds and then it cleared up and ran fine. It revved smoothly and after 15 seconds I turned it off. Later in the day I decided to take it to the mechanic. It started right up and ran fine. The mechanic checked the battery/alternator and everything was good (no check engine lights) so I did not leave the car.

It has been running fine every day since the incident last week, but I would like to figure out the cause so I can fix it beforehand or at least I won't be at square one if the car decides to die in a parking lot instead of my garage.

It seems like there were two temporary problems - starting and running rough - is there one thing that could explain both?

 

more than likely your gas tank condensated and you had some water in it that got sucked up. if the problem is gone now you should be good but keep an eye on it

 

Interesting, not somthing I would have came up with, but I guess it could be another thing taken into consideration.

Chances are it's something as simple as a faulty ground. I would check all of your grounds, if they appear rusted clean them up a bit. If not I would venture to guess that your alternator is on its way out.