My '91 has an electronic display which is neat. Lately it stays dark until the car warms up, then works fine thereafter. I would appreciate any suggestions to try before having the whole unit replaced. Thanks.

 

Are you talking about the "Digital Speedometer"?

 

Yes. The owners manual calls it the "Digital (Electronic) Meter"

 

Amazingly enoguh, you are one of the very few people I've heard say they have one. I've been in TONS of 3rd gen. Maximas and have stll yet to see one. I guess they didn't sell very many with them!

About your problem -- I have no idea. People rarely mention the digital speedometer so I'm not sure if others have seen this problem or not.

Good luck.

 

I think this happened to someone else, i think the solution was that the digital speedo is an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and when its cold outside it lakes a couple of mins. for the liquid crystal to heat up. Then when it's warmed up it should work fine. I think im right but if not check the search thing at the top of the page and search about the digital speedo.

 

Thanks. You're right, this subject was discussed about a month ago and same the answer was given. It's probably a standard question at this time of year. However, I am wondering why this did not happen in the 5 previous winters I have owned the car. Based on the quote I got for a replacement, I have decided that moving South will be cheaper.

 

I have a 90 and it's doing that also. Started about 2 years back. It would take about five minutes to come on, then everything would be okay for the day. It slowed got worse. Now I can drive for a hour + for the thing kicks on, unless it's extremly hot and left out in the sun, then it works fine.

I brought it to Nissan a few months back and a service rep stated it be about $2K plus. Went again and another service rep had it diagnosed for $35, stated it was the computer and wanted $800 parts labor not sure.

Jim, how much were you quoted?

 

I was quoted about $500 for a "replacement unit" by an independent shop. I didn't ask how much the labor would be. Problem is, I don't know if a new "unit" would fix the problem. It's obviously temperature-related, but I'd like to know the exact item that's being affected. If it's the LCD, why didn't it do it from the start? Does LCD deteriorate over time?

 

LCD displays are temperature sensitive, and don't work as well in the cold. I doubt that the car uses a LCD display. I had a 2nd gen, with digital dash, and it had an electroluminesent display. If the digits glow (emit light, usually green or blue green) they are not LCD's. What is probably going bad is an electrolytic capacitor in the display's power supply. These types of caps go bad (internal leakage) after time. The fix is to remove the display and replace the caps; same sort of fix as the clock.

 

Thanks, your answer sounds logical. Should save me some $$$.

 

Spoke to acompany today that said that if you remove the dash and send it to him, his technician could turn it right around within a couple days, cost $300.

 

Thanks. But, because I'm in Canada that would be a hassle with US and Canada Customs paperwork. I'm sure with the solution in hand my shop can do it OK.

 

Jim, If you have it done locally, let me know how it turns out and how hard it was. The problem just keeps getting worse so I'm going to need to fix it soon, don't like the wife riding around without it and hate giving up my truck for to long a period. Thanks