Hi.
I have a 2004 Nissan Maxima. I was driving it and it just shut off. The brakes got hard, I couldn't turn the wheel or anything. When I went to try and crank it, it wouldn't crank. I had to have it towed because it wouldn't crank. I changed out the battery cable because I thought that could be the problem, but it wasn't. I needed a new one anyway. I switched out the cam shaft sensor in bank 1, but that wasn't it. Some one said that it's the timing belt, but I really don't think that what it is. I don't want to spend money on the timing belt and that not be the problem. PLEASE HELP

 

Maxima's use a timing chain system

 

Have you ran a scan to see if any codes are thrown out? How old is the battery, if its a bad battery & alternator it could cause your car to shut down.

What makes you think its CamShaft Position Bank1 and not Bank2?
Are you using OEM sensors?

 

Is it completely dead or do things turn on when the key is in position (not the starting position)? If yes, then it might be the starter. You can have this item checked at AutoZone/local auto part store.
If it’s completely dead, maybe it’s the battery, this can also be checked at a local Auto parts store, remove and take into the store.

If it’s neither of those, it could be the alternator. Little more difficult to take in, but were any dash lights on when this occurred? Also, as was stated above, get the codes checked.

 

With what you are saying: the car was in drive, running, and just shut down. The brakes where hard and power steering went away. The engine basically stopped and the electronics kept on?
If all is true, then it could be many different things. Get the car scanned for codes. You can rent the scan tools from NAPA, Oriley, or Autozone. They rent tools. Scan tools are one of those tools. Call them first, not all of them carry all of the tools. You pay a fee, then get money back when you return the tools. Hook up to your OBD2 port under your steering wheel and turn the key all the way, DO NOT START THE CAR. Wait for the tool and get the codes. Write them down and post here. There could be multiple codes, use the up and down arrows or right and left depending on model to look at the other codes. There is also an option to erase the codes, do not do that yet until you post here and someone with some experience tells you it's ok. Reason being if you erase the codes, and it needs to go into the shop then they won't have the codes to pull which they might need for diagnostics. Some tools work differently then others and you don't want to mess that up. By experience, I mean someone who has more than 10 posts. Most guys on here have been where you are and can provide guidance. This sounds very similar to what I had happen to me. My problem was the Camshaft Position Sensors. Both should be replaced with OEM if that is the case. DO NOT use anything other than the ones from Nissan for this. Not entirely sure why, but all others have failed when changed out and cause headaches. Good luck and I hope this helped.