Couple of months ago my 96 started to have an annoying electrical
problem. Every morning when I start my car, the dashboard
electronics (like speedometer needle, RPM needle, seat belt light, etc),
power window, and AC would all shut down if I flip the turn signal switch.
However, the car still runs and certain electronics like radio is fine.
I soon find out that if I bang under the dashboard behind the steering
column where my knees are, the electronics would come back on.
If I don't let the car idle long enough, the electronics will shut down
again upon flipping the turn signal. Then I would have to bang under the dash until it comes back on. This seems to only happen in the morning.
I rarely have this problem when starting my car after work.

I have 212,000 miles. Has anyone have this problem before?
Is it a grounding problem?

 

Probably the ignition switch.

 

Is the ignition switch difficult to change?

 

I could be completely wrong, but if you smack it, and it comes back on, it sounds like a short, or loose harness to me. Do they ever go out when you hit a good bump while driving?

 

Well, that's the funny thing...it doesn't die when I go over bumps.
This makes me think it is not a loose connection. I cannot locate
where the problem is and by the time I get it to the dealer the
problem cannot be produced.

 

That sounds odd, if it was the ignition switch wiggiling the key would fix it. I'd try that. If that doesent work (when you start the car in the morning), it could be loose or coroded connections, a loose fuse, a melted fusible link or reley. If you want to find it yourself, I can tell you the reley's and termnials to check in a digram, such as "cornering |62|61|63|" with a photo of course. Because of the turn signal turning off your dash, I belive it is a short, but check the ignition first. Then you can check the other things. Try a test light where the fuse goes (take out the fuse), there should be no voltage present in the circuit. Wiggle the wiring harness a bit, and if the light comes on you have a short in a ground somewhere in that aera. I can go on, but you may not want to do this stuff yourself, so I'll wait.

 

I hate to hi-jack another thread, but I still do not have new post ability...
On my 98, when driving, the radio will shut off and the ABS light will come on, briefly, like a few seconds, car does not hesitate and lights do not flicker. I tested charging system and replaced battery yesterday. Any ideas??
Thanks and sorry to hi-jack a thread again.

 

BUMP

Any ideas anyone?? Once again I am sorry to hi-jack a thread.

 

make two more replies and you can open a topic. please do not continue to jump into threads.

 

I know and I understand, I apologize, being new on a board sucks... (1 more reply!)

 

This is the same exact issue I've been having and I really can't narrow down the cause... it seems like its a ground issue but i cant know for sure. I'll be digging under the panels to figure out where the weakest link is.

 

bad ignition switch or loose connection
remove two screws at bottom of panel and check plug in

 

I had a similar problem on a 91 Montero. I guessed what the problem was and after a lot of sweat my step-dad fixed it (I wasn't there to help ).
There was a circuit board under the dash that got wet and shorted and rusted in few spots. There was water leaking from the windshield.
I am not sure if the Maxima has that type of board but it sound like it very well might.