I have a 89 maxima, M/T. My speedometer will only work sometimes. Most of the time, when i take off, it just flips all the way over to 125, and stays there. After about 10-15 min, it starts to move around and eventually works, but is only right on the speed at lower speeds, at 30 MPH it says 30, and at 60MPH it says like 80. So i took out the speed sensor and bought a new one. but the new one dont even make the needle budge, ever. So is it 2 bad speed sensors? or something else? does anyone know the resistance of the speed sensors?

 

sounds like some bad wiring, to cause it not to work.

also, our gauges aren't that accurate, apparently at higher speeds.
mine is fine at 55, at 60,its 7mph off, at 70, its 13 off.
not the gauge cluster (done it on both clusters i have used), not the tire size (stock size different brands), and my speed is consistently off.
ColumbianMax has expresses the same issue (speedo being off), almost the exact same amount. and i have waaaay more miles on mine.
I think caped said something to me about his being off, too (but that may have been his tires).

 

so you think its wiring? that sucks. looks like i dont get a speedometer. im done with this piece of **** lol

 

-make sure the red plastic pinion on the sensor isn't stripped.
-similar thing happened to me, and i think it was my harness (since odo, speedo and tach didn't work). i ended up wiring from the sensor through the wheelwell to behind the dash directly to the gauge cluster (need to find the correct wire, of course), but it has worked well since.

 

The red pinion as in the gear?? But that would be a good idea, i might run the wires through the fire wall. but dont they go to the ECU first? and if i knew the resistance thatd be great!

 

 

I had a similar problem and thought my speed sensor was going bad. I bought a SE cluster white face guage, only to find out the speedometer didnt work, so I put the gxe one that was originaly in there back in and no problem. I still do want a good working SE guage though.

 

Yes, i just found this in my manual. but how does that work for voltage? that makes no sense? theres no power comming from it

 

spin it, it generates (or should generate) voltage.

 

i got nothing on that test...

 

if you have a digi, make sure it's set for DC, and the lowest voltage (typically 20v).
I got schooled on my mm the other day
test was supposed to yeild 180 ohms, so I set it for 200; turns out I needed to set for 2000

worst part: it was my brother, who is scared to death of wiring diagnostics and multimeters, figured it out.

 

The problem is your speedometer, not the speed sensor.

 

No Ben, its AC. Says right there in the FSM info you posted.

I agree with Hectic that its the speedo. I've been through 4 clusters all due to a bad speedo.

 

multimeter = 2
Ben = 0

 

lmao. and it is the speed sensor, when i plug mine in it works sometimes and moves around, but the used one i got on ebay does nothing at all

 

+1 on the bad speedo. I has similar symptoms as you and ended up buying a new speed sensor from Courtesy..... the JY speedo fixed the problem.

 

so buy a new gauge cluster?

 

My man, it sounds like your Max is a fcukin' headache!!! Maybe you should get rid of her and find another with less problems. Is she worth all the fcukin' headaches? Does she have high miles? Is the body on her tight? I'm only investing in my bittchh cause she has low mileage for a third gen Max, other wise I would invest much except to keep her running. Does your father posses mechanical abilities? If so it would probably be easier 4 U to get help from him, rather than trying to understand on here what people are trying to help U with. When I was in my early teens my father/older brother showed me from basics to total engine rebuild from beginning to end. You have do alot of reading, watching and doing with supervision. It took me many years to get to where I'm at and I'm still learning 20 years later, all of us can still learn something from anyone. This is just a suggestion, if it doesn't apply then let it fly!! Good Wrenching Kidd!!!

 

Oh yea my dad has the skills to do anything on a vehicle, but most answers are dam*it kid why the fuc do you mess around with that piece of ****, wait and save your money for a muscle car, or at least one worth money. haha. But i plan on keeping this car. Its got like 140,000 miles ish. Not to bad, but not good. I plan on sanding the whole underside and rust proofing it eventually, along with ew suspension parts, and while i do that ill put in a lowering kit, and while its on the lift ill have some rims waiting and have dad pop um on the tire changer. and since the tires are off i might as well put in some new E brake cables, rotors, and calipers. and sense im down there i could use the tranny jack to lift the motor up a bit to take the motor mounts off and the center cross member to put on a new oil pan, cause it leaks. Then i could make some solid mounts while there out, and while thats bein done i could bolt on a turbo mani if i can get one and weld on a down pipe to the exhaust. After thats all done i could lower it, and pull the motor out just a little and put in some cams, lower compression pistons, connecting rods, valves, and itd be nice to bore it with dads kit. then just throw in some custom pistons. After that i could get a cheap ebay turbo kit to get me buy, then set er on the ground and find a good ECU and some 720CC injectors and a fuel pump. Then call er good. >??? but this is where i need all my help, Thos are my total plans for this car. then its done. But im just learning, so i need help. And ive gotten a lot from this site so far.