Nissan Repair: 97 MAXIMA STARTING PROBLEM, thin wires, battery cable

Question
HI THERE! I HAVE A 97 MAXIMA THAT WON'T START. A MONTH AGO, I REPLACED THE BATTERY, ALL WAS FINE UNTIL 2 DAYS AGO. FIRST, I DIED, AND IT WOULDN'T JUMP. THEN AFTER HAVING CABLES ON CONNECTED TO ANOTHER CAR FOR 30 MINUTES IT STARTED. DIED AGAIN 2 HOURS LATER. I REPLACED THE BATTERY, AND NOTHING.IT WON'T EVEN TRY, YET LIGHTS ALL BRIGHT. IS THERE ANYTHING OTHER THAN THE STARTER I CAN CHECK? IF NOT, IS IT EASY ENOUGH FOR A VERY DETERMINED GIRL TO REPLACE?
THANK YOU,
MAGGIE

Answer
I would check the fuseable links at the positive battery cable, where it connects to the battery first.  Since the car was really low on battery life there is a chance you blew one of those.  You should be able to see if the thin wires are cooked in two at the battery.  If that is not the problem you are looking at a starter since the windings are probably cooked.  Now, we have to get back to the reason you had a discharged battery.  I would think, if you do not have aftermarket electronics draining the battery that the alternator is gone.  Take the battery and get it charged fully and then reinstall it and attempt to start the car.  If it won't turn over you can bet, if the fuseable links and fuses are good that the starter is bad.

The starter is not that difficult to replace.  There are only two bolts and the battery cable.  First disconnect the battery cable and then remove the starter.  Replacement is the reverse.  One bolt is larger than the other one as it goes in from the back side.  

The alternator is really easy as it is just disconnecting the wiring and taking the belt off to get the tension off before you take the two alternator bolts off.

If you have difficulty email me back and let me know.