I recently bought a 96 maxima se, manual trans, and have noticed that the speedometer works intermittently. It worked when I test drove the car but sometimes when I start up and go it will stay at zero and either randomly jump up to the correct speed later or not move from zero at all. The odo/tach/fuel/temp gauges all function normally while this happens, just the speedo is acting up. I've been searching online and other posts about this issue but I didn't come across any with the exact same description of the problem.

What is this most likely caused by? Speed sensor/bad wires/do I need a new gauge cluster? Which should I check first?

 

first off, you should'nt even be able to post a thread w/o 15 posts in other threads, you need to read the rules and use the SEARCH function in here. this topic has been discussed many times over, take the time to use it please.

 

As said in the question I have been searching on here otherwise i wouldnt have created an account to ask, there are just variations of this issue. It let me post a thread so I did, there are tons of duplicate threads of other topics too no need to get all pissy. Thanks for fulfilling the quota of at least one **** in every forum though.

 

Here's a thread I made and also one I've commented on.

http://forums.maxima.org/4th-generat...til-i-tap.html

http://forums.maxima.org/4th-generat...ic-speedo.html

Let me know if these help.

 

time to replace the instrument cluster.

THere is also the vehicle speed sensor which i believe is short money. But if the sensor was whacked then the the car would/should throw a code.

 

^^^ this

 

^^^ not necessarily....before spending money on a new cluster, I'd try what I did but I guess its up to the op if he wants a free fix or to spend money. Mine did the same thing daily and since I did my fix weeks ago, I have had no problems.

 

Thanks everyone! I'll probably just try taking the cluster off today and checking for loose screws and worn solder points first, if that doesnt do the trick ill be looking into a new cluster. No code has been thrown up so hopefully no tinkering with the speed sensor, ill repost after i take the cluster apart today

 

Any luck with anything yet?