Nissan Repair: 2002 Maxima, spark plug wire, metal surface

Question
My car died while sitting at a red light. While I had foot on break peddle the engine just faded and cut off (not like a regular stalling). I put it in neutral and pushed to side. The engine wouldn't turn over when I tried to restart ( the lights and radio did work). Waited an hour and the car restarted, drove home 3 miles, and when I tried to restart again, it wouldn't. Car has 124,000 miles and a slight scent of anti-freeze is noticable. Also, another slight burning smell is now noticable.  (Alternator? Battery?, Belt?) Please help.  Thanks.

Answer
Hi Chris -

The first thing I would check is your fuel. Try to duplicate the situation with the car not starting, however this time open the intake and spray some starting fluid or put a few drops of gasoline if the car starts and then dies off quickly, your fuel pump is probably the culprit.

If it still does not start, check the spark. Pull a spark plug wire and insert the flat part of it into the end of the boot until it connects with the terminal. Hold it about 1/4" away from any metal surface and crank the car. There should be a spark jumping across. (Be carful NOT to touch any metal surface while doing this!)If not, check the distributor cap, rotor, ignition module, or coil.

Hope this helps -
calvin