Jamaha80

My wife drives our 96 Maxima (auto), and has recently been complaining about the speedometer jumping around from actual speed to 0mph, then back up, then back down to 0. Sounds like a bad vehicle speed sensor to me, although I replaced that part last summer because I had a fault code/CEL for it. What do you guys think? Is this common? TIA!
Also, the fault code remains, wont go away for the VSS. Is this a part I should go to the dealer for? When I last replaced it, Auto Zone got me the part for pretty cheap- like maybe $30 iirc.

elemax

iTrader: (17)

try tightening the screws on the back of the gauge cluster, they tend to loosen causing this.

Jamaha80

Thanks... Sorry for not searching, but I just did and came to the same conclusion... Either that or a bad speedo head ($350?!?). I also forgot to mention that the cruise control is flakey too, which seems to be common with this fault. Thanks for the help. I lost my Haynes manual, is it difficult to get the gauge cluster out? Any DIY articles on it?

Jamaha80

Nevermind! I need to search before I post!

dgeesaman

iTrader: (10)

Several possibilities:
1) Bad connections on the back of the speedo cluster
2) Bad connections within the actual speedo.
3) Bad wiring between the speedo cluster and sensor
4) Bad sensor
5) Damaged gear mesh between diff pinion and speedo sensor gear.

If you decide to change your speedo cluster, look into buying a used one with lower mileage and find a local shop that will roll the mileage up to match for you. They should do it without hesitation if you bring them the replacement and you leave them the junk one. (Think about it: how could rolling a speedo *forward* be useful to someone committing fraud?)

If you go to Nissan they'll insist on buying a brand new gauge cluster and it's $tupid expen$ive.

Dave

Jamaha80

Thanks for your help. The VSS voltage is right, so Im going to take the cluster out tonight and check the back for anything lose/not normal, and test the wires.. If after that the problem persists, Ill try to find a lower mileage cluster and do like you said. It seems that a lose connection on the back is probable if the VSS tests out right, based on several search results. Thanks for the help.

99BlackMaxMS

iTrader: (85)

If the odometer is working, then it is most likely a loose connection...however, if the odometer is not properly functioning, then you have a bad cluster.

Jamaha80

Like I said my wife drives it mostly, and Im SURE she doesnt pay attention to the odo. Although, I know for a fact that since Ive had the CEL with VSS fault code the miles are racking up. Its been about a year- was at 125k and now at 133k. Ill take it for a couple days to be sure.... I just hate to let her drive my car. Its only recently that the speedo has been acting up though. Have had cruise problems for a long time though, with CEL and VSS fault. The only reason Im trying to get to the bottom of it now is because the speedo isnt working all the time.

99BlackMaxMS

iTrader: (85)

What makes your car so special???

Jamaha80

Haha... I drive a 2000 S4 with a few mods
The Maxima is definately the most reliable of the 2 though. In fact, this VSS/speedo deal is the first real problem we've had with it.

dgeesaman

iTrader: (10)

Not quite true. A bad sensor will stop the signal to both the odometer and speedometer.

Dave

Jamaha80

I also just read that a fault code that refers to TCU/ECU communication with VSS fault code indicates a lose screw on for the speedo on the back of the cluster. I had that fault code a while back and cleared it, but it has not come back. Though my orange O/D light blinks several times whenever the car is started.
I didnt have a chance to take it appart last night, but am about to here in 20 mins.

Jamaha80

Update:

I took out the gauge cluster and it seemed that all of the little phillips head screws were not tight. None were very loose, but they definately werent fully tight. So, I tightend them all, put everything back together, reset the CEL. On the test drive (about 10 miles) the CEL did not reappear, and the speedo did not flake out once. One thing I DID notice was- The trip meter was stuck at 229 miles, but the 10th's of miles was rolling as I drove, and the odometer was working. I reset the trip meter to 0 and its working fine now. We'll see if it gets stuck again in the 220's mile range. I wonder if that had anything to do with the speedo not working at times? So far so good, I guess only time will tell.

RastaManMax

iTrader: (5)

I have a similar issue, my speedo will go down to 0, jump back up, then when i hit a bump, sometimes go down to 0. I'm going to try to pull the cluster and retighten everything. The O/D light flashes sometimes when i start my car and when the speedo stops, the odometer also stops. Anybody have a writeup with pics on how to remove the speedo?

I think the ghetto method i used to install my bezel + rings might've had something to do with my flakey speedo!

LEMAR

RastaManMax

iTrader: (5)

How hard was it to remove the cluster anyways? Looks like you might have to drop the steering column to do it?

Jamaha80

There is a link to how to take the cluster out in the stickies.

Another update:
I get a call last night while the wife is driving and she tells me its still cutting out. Im thinking Im going to need a new cluster!

miserov

I had these same issues, P0500 and P0600 codes, flashing o/d light, and intermittent cruise control issues, however it was my tach, not my speedo that was jumping around. Replacing the VSS and tightening the screws on the back of the cluster did nothing. I ended up getting a used cluster off of ebay instead of buying a new one from Nissan. I just made sure he gave me an express warranty as to make sure there were no issues with it.

99BlackMaxMS

iTrader: (85)

PM KRRZ350 if you need a cluster.

He has one with 70K and one with 140K i think? I know he has both digital and analog which is what you need but PM him about it.

KRRZ350

iTrader: (29)

Yup, the one w/70k (give or take a few) is the digtal one, the analog one has 142k. $55 shipped for digital, $45 shipped for analog.

RastaManMax

iTrader: (5)

I'm pretty sure my issue is with the speed sensor, just haven't had the time to pull the codes. If you can update this thread when you replace the cluster, (if that's the route you're going), please post back whether it's still having that issue. I'm going to hopefully pull the codes this Sunday.

Anybody know where to get the speed sensor for cheap? Haven't been browsing the forums lately so i'm going to get on that since there's a couple things i need to replace in the Max now so i figure might as well do them all one of these weekends.

LEMAR