Nissan Repair: 1993 nissan maxima charing problems, late model cars, nissan maxima

Question
i have a 1993 nissan maxima that my wife drives.  the past few days she has ended up on the side of the road broke down, the car just dies.  i have gone and got it each time,(jumped it off and drove it home). the last time i did i pulled the neg. bat cable off before i left and it died.  when i got it home i did the same thing and the alternator ran the motor like it was supposed to.  i am trying to figure out if it is my alternator that i bad before i go buy a new. i have had it off and tested it before at advance auto. it tested good, but like i said one time the motor cut off and one time it ran, is it possible for the alternator to work periodically.  thank you for any help geno smith

Answer
Geno,

If you pull the cable and the car dies then the alternator is not putting out enough voltage to keep the car running.  Also, you are not supposed to do that on late model cars for fear that you will fry the computer.  I used to do it all the time too.  Anyway, if it were me I would drive down to the parts store and have the system itself checked.  But, from what you have said I would think the alternator is on its way out.