Hello! I bought a 2002 maxima back in January as a daily driver with 123k on it. When I bought it about 2 days later the CEL came on on the highway flashing, then changed to solid. A few days later, I started the car one morning and the light went away, but would not pass the obd inspection readiness check (I thought I was getting lucky).

So today it was snowing and I was driving it. After we left the supermarket, I slid down the exit and the ABS activated. After that, the transmission slipped (it didn't rev in Drive, then the tires seemed to spin). After that, the throttle was unresponsive in drive (works in nuetral) and the radio seemed to get fuzzy so I just shut it off. After about 2 miles, it wouldn't rev in drive at all even if I put it in nuetral first. I pulled over and put it in park, the airbag and brake lights came on. Then it wouldn't restart and I had to have it towed.

Couple things I've noticed recently:
Radio (FM) sometimes is slilent or gets fuzzy (it has 4 new door speakers (Polk) that are like 3 weeks old.
Belt squeeles when cold and I turn, hard to turn sometimes.
CEL comes on and off (I haven't had codes read)
The car ran rough when I started it yesterday on my lunch break, smoothed out after a minute or two.
It looks like the car was hit on the driver front not to long ago, the headlight is new looking and the paint is fairly new (car has no pull issues or the like)

I came to the conclusion alternator or a problematic wiring area, likely under the car. Any ideas before I start spending unnecessary money?

 

Sounds like the alternator.

 

Agreed

 

I had a feeling it was the alternator, however I've never heard of it giving up like that out of nowhere.

I appreciate your replies, what brand will last me the longest?

I researched and came up with Autozone gives unlimited replacements, but I don't want to do this every month for a junk part. What is the best option longevity wise?

 

Most likely alternator or battery or both definitely a lack electricity issue. Check terminals aswell. Autozone batteries are great but autozone alternators suck, go with a used OEM for the best bang for ur buck.

Heres an oem alternator for $75 with 53k miles on it. Verify the mileage with the seller but seems like a good deal if you can wait for it to be shipped.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/111001589634...84.m1423.l2649