For the last two weeks ive been hearing this stactic, zipping sound running thru my my speakers.. This sound has gotten worst since, and my car is stalling from time to time... I took the radio to a local radio shop and they check the connection and told me everything was okay with the radio.. I figured the alternator was going bad, i hear a sound coming from the alternator area but im not 100 percent is the alternator. I changed the alternator in late 2010 and the battery last year... Ive gave maybe one or two jumps but i follow the directions on the how too from the manual... I don't have a regular mechanic anymore, so i took my car to autozone and they connected this device which i believe was a battery tester and told me the battery had a 100 percent charge.... the autozone worker said if the battery is getting a 100 percent charge that means the alternator is working fine...
If im at a light my car has no power... i have to through the car in neutral; rev it, then throw it in drive to take off.... lol.. sounds crazy buts its true...
i recently needed a boost and the car struggles to start..
Help...

 

You are talking about a number of different and likely unrelated problems.

You checked the battery, but have autozone test your starter. This will give you an indication on why you can't start sometimes.

Also, check your ground connections in your engine bay, and maybe the ones near your radio and speakers in the cabin (although these are harder to check and get to). You can trace the grounds using the FSM. You can download the FSM for your Maxima year from here:

boredmder.com/FSMs/Nissan/Maxima/

Personally, check your ground connections first because it sounds like this is one that can cause a few of the problems you are experiencing.

As far as starting in neutral that sounds like the neutral safety switch. If it starts fine in neutral, but not in park then it is likely that switch causing the issue. You can test is using the FSM to verify, or just replace it if you want.

 

Is your check engine light on? More importantly, did the guy at autozone hook his OBD reader and check for codes.

The noise you hear near the alternator could be a bad bearing in the alternator or the a/c compressor or the belt tensioner.

If the car will idle slow and maybe die, possibly the throttle body needs to be cleaned. Once the car is rolling down the street, does it seem to be running OK? If not, maybe you have a bad MAF

I read conflicting statments about starting, dead battery, etc. If the alternator is supposedly working fine and you have a good battery, why did you have to get jump start the car?

 

i needed a boost because the car wouldnt start... connected the cables and the car started right up...
the radio spot checked the ground and said everything was okay..
I have no codes on my car...
the gentleman at autozone said the device was a battery tester.. he said if the meter reads 100 percent then im getting a full charge from my alternator if, that makes sense...

 

Sounds like the battery. There are two tests, full charge and also under a load. Sounds like the guy didn't test it fully.

I'd say go to a different autozone to get it tested. Your battery may be charging, but it may not be holding the charge.

 

got u... will do

 

upgrade your grounds.