I have a 2004 Maxima and for some reason it is shutting off for no reason. The other day I was driving 55 mph on the highway and all of a sudden the power just stops and locks up. It was so scary! I think this car, that I love may kill me. It has been acting up for about 3 weeks now but just recently getting worse. No one knows what it is, this one mechanic told me it had something to do with the Power Steering and Tie rod, so I got the Power steering rack that I am now selling because it was not the problem.

I'm scared to drive it long distances now and feel helpless.

Please help!!!!!

 

I suggest an electrical system test.

Most auto stores will do this for free: Advance Auto, etc.

I highly doubt it's a mechanical problem unless it's the MAF or a belt slipping not letting the alternator charge, but you would hear that..

Battery, alternator, terminals, ground, ect.

No check engine lights?

Car struggle to start ever?

 

I had my 04 stall on the hwy, it was bad camshaft position sensors.

I also lost power but was able to get onto a shoulder recently. It was because I never cleaned the Throttle Body which I just ended up replacing.

 

I did have the test ran and cam sensors did come up on it, when the guy look at them he said he didnt see anything wrong physically.

So I really dont know.

 

If the Cam sensors came up after you ran a OBDII Scan you should replace both banks
I believe one is roughly $65 and the other is $95.

BUY the OEM ones dont buy the knock off sensors off ebay/amazon.

 

Its also held on by one bolt (either 10mm or 12mm) super easy just gotta reach with a small socket wrench.

Its fairly common and if this is happening when youre on the hwy its super dangerous.

 

And the winner is cam sensors!

 

did he somehow test the sensors? you cannot tell if a sensor works or not by looking at them for physical damage.


this is most likely your cause.

 

What codes did he pull? Anyway, there are two cam sensors and a crank sensor. I suggest you replace all three if you can afford to do so. All oem.

 

No sense in replacing all of them.

Follow the code(s) and they will tell you which sensor it is.
Rockauto isn't a bad place for parts; sometimes they have OEM at a much better price as well.

 

Maybe. But these three are somehow interrelated, and often times it is the crank sensor that sounds the death knell of the cams.

 

Thanks for all of your replies. Im not sure what the codes were and it wasnt a professional who told me, it was a friend who has a diagnostic machine and does mechanic work on the side. Hence why I ordered the wrong part in the first place.

I had him do the test again and like 6 things shows up. Cam shaft, cam sensors and 4 unknowns, which he said could be anything. I havent driven my car in weeks because of this problem and I'm guessing its going to be pretty expensive to fix at a shop Because IM NOT LETTING HIM TOUCH MY CAR, hes an idiot.

 

Change your Cam sensors. Buy OEM.

 

I had the same issue with my 04' SE. I would be driving and the car would not respond to the accelerator, except in R, N, or Park.

I replaced the LH and RH sensors and it fixed the "stopping" issue. Now I am having problems with a "hard start". Of course I didn't by the OEM but I should have.

I am going to replace the other one and see of that fixes it. There is supposed to be one under the car as well.

Sorry...I think the other is the "crankshaft position sensor".