97 Maxima Gauge Cluster and Speedometer Problem
12-14-2010, 08:47 PM
#1
97 Maxima Gauge Cluster and Speedometer Problem
Ok so my speedometer hasn't been working correctly ever since I purchased this vehicle in october, it starts working too late and displays about half the speed I'm doing. It finally through the code for the vss a couple weeks ago so today I replaced the vss and still same problem. So I decided to take apart the gauge cluster and tighten the screws. I noticed that there are some bulbs and screws missing I circled them in red in the pics below. Are these supposed to be like this or am I missing stuff because I can easily tell someone had previously took this gauge cluster apart since its screws weren't even screwed in all the way. Another thing is even after tightening all the screws I still have the same problem with the speedometer, anyone have any similar issue or know how I can fix this?
12-14-2010, 08:50 PM
#2
3 out of the 4 screw holes I circled, the top one and the bottom two, say buzzer near them. The other screw hole doesn't say anything. Is there supposed to be some kind of buzzer or something 
I'm lost here.
I'm lost here.
12-14-2010, 09:48 PM
#5
12-14-2010, 10:10 PM
#6
12-15-2010, 06:47 PM
#7
My problem now is with the 4 screw holes I circled. I'm having a feeling the 3 that say buzzer are not used but what about the other one
Also anyone know what else I can do for the problem I'm having with the speedo
12-15-2010, 07:05 PM
#8
Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 263
If rapping on the instrument cluster makes the speedo come alive, it's probably the speedo head.
12-15-2010, 07:31 PM
#9
There is a good write up in the FSM on how to check what Nissan calls the combination meter unit. FSM EL section Meters and Gauges. If the unit responds as shown in the directions it's OK. Glad to help a fellow Chicagoan
http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/maxima/
http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/maxima/
Last edited by Nopike; 12-15-2010 at 07:42 PM.
12-15-2010, 07:41 PM
#10
If a new sensor did not fix it then you may have
1) a bad cable/connection running from the sensor to the combination meter unit.
2) a bad connection on the combination meter unit check what they call the FPC connection.
3) a bad speedometer unit.
If you or someone you know has a multimeter and knows how to use it, it would be very helpful.
EDIT: I would not worry about the screws or missing light bulbs unlikely they have anything to do with the problem.
1) a bad cable/connection running from the sensor to the combination meter unit.
2) a bad connection on the combination meter unit check what they call the FPC connection.
3) a bad speedometer unit.
If you or someone you know has a multimeter and knows how to use it, it would be very helpful.
EDIT: I would not worry about the screws or missing light bulbs unlikely they have anything to do with the problem.
Last edited by Nopike; 12-15-2010 at 07:44 PM.
12-15-2010, 07:43 PM
#11
You probably need to replace the speedometer head with one from a junkyard car. It could also be a fault in the printed circuit board on the back, which is still available from Nissan for about $60 or $80 I think. As far as I can tell Nissan no longer makes the speedo head.
If rapping on the instrument cluster makes the speedo come alive, it's probably the speedo head.
If rapping on the instrument cluster makes the speedo come alive, it's probably the speedo head.
12-15-2010, 07:58 PM
#14
Can't say for sure but I would expect so. It may be easier to get a junkyard cluster and just replace the speedo from it.
My experience is the items that move, get dirty or are in a harsh enviornment fail the most. I would suspect the cable first, you may have a resistive connection. maybe you can run two wires from the VSS to the cluster if the cluster checks out good.
My experience is the items that move, get dirty or are in a harsh enviornment fail the most. I would suspect the cable first, you may have a resistive connection. maybe you can run two wires from the VSS to the cluster if the cluster checks out good.
10-28-2014, 08:46 PM
#15
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Spartanburg S.C
Posts: 93
O.K I know this is an old thread but I can't make my own and google leads you here from your own search engine. So here it goes:
I had the same problem and after the first pull out and tightening the screws I got it to work 70% of the time. So after doing more research I pulled it out again to replace the washers on the 4 screws holding the speedo on suggestion from another member and to check the solder points to see if they needed to be re-soldered as suggested by yet another member.
When I looked closely at the solder points I noticed brown corrosion around the solder points,so I used my finger nail to scrap it off on ALL of the solder points and put it back together and it worked. Look at the point next to where it says ABS. and you will see the corrosion.
Its been 4 days and all is well plus it got rid of codes:
p0100-maf
p0600-tranny com line
p0340-cam sensor
Now I did clean the maf the day before and didn't clear the codes until after I fixed the speedo. I'm including 1 picture. Would have taken more but didn't think of it until I was at the last solder point. Hope this helps and if this post needs to be moved then lets move it as I have not seen this solution to this common problem on these cars.
I had the same problem and after the first pull out and tightening the screws I got it to work 70% of the time. So after doing more research I pulled it out again to replace the washers on the 4 screws holding the speedo on suggestion from another member and to check the solder points to see if they needed to be re-soldered as suggested by yet another member.
When I looked closely at the solder points I noticed brown corrosion around the solder points,so I used my finger nail to scrap it off on ALL of the solder points and put it back together and it worked. Look at the point next to where it says ABS. and you will see the corrosion.
Its been 4 days and all is well plus it got rid of codes:
p0100-maf
p0600-tranny com line
p0340-cam sensor
Now I did clean the maf the day before and didn't clear the codes until after I fixed the speedo. I'm including 1 picture. Would have taken more but didn't think of it until I was at the last solder point. Hope this helps and if this post needs to be moved then lets move it as I have not seen this solution to this common problem on these cars.
Last edited by Icemule; 10-28-2014 at 08:49 PM. Reason: took quote out as it was not in block form for so reason
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