New member 04 Max P0500 probs
 

Hey guys, I am a 26 year old that owns a small used carlot I started when I was 19. I recently purchased a 04 Maxima SE pearl white with every option and owned by one older lady. I noticed out of nowhere the speedometer quit working. Next day I got in the car and it worked fine. Few days later it quit working again this time for a week or so. I drove trying to get a code and finally got a ses light and a p0500 speed sensor code. Ordered a speed sensor off of rockauto for 90 dollars. Just installed it a few mins ago. While I had the intake off i noticed the throttle body plate was very black. I cleaned this off as well. Anyway, got the new sensor in, and still no speedometer! Haven't driven it enough to get it to throw the code again but im sure it will be the same p0500. There was also a P0460 fuel level sensor code, and p0507 which i think is where i cleaned the throttle body. I've noticed when the fuel gage gets real low in bobs up and down some. Should I run seafoam in it? I am sick i bought this car after reading all the issues these cars have. I sell mostly foreign cars (toyota, lexus, bmw, audi). I have a very good reputation and do not want to "stick" someone with this car so to speak. What is the deal with the po500 code? I replaced the sensor what else could it be? One last question can i drain the tranny fluid and use mobil one? I noticed the fluid was very dirty on the speed sensor and worried about tranny issues. The tranny shifts fine, when shifts into 3rd seems a little harder than the other gears unless you get on it then it shifts very very smooth. Anyway thanks in advance.

also wanted to note that my buddy that is my mechanic put an alternator on the car, and I had to replace the battery soon after because it would die overnight. We had alot of trouble finding an alternator from parts stores. Advanced alt was wrong, finally got one from autozone that was correct. Replaced ac belt and changed oil. It was after this that the speedometer quit working. Also the cruise will not work it just blinks when i try to set it. The odometer will not work either. I cannot believe the quality of these nissans. My father used to drive a 88 Maxima that i learned to drive in. That car had like 300k on it when he sold it. This car really disappointed me. I have very limited tools and experience. Is there something i should have done after replacing the sensor? Is it possible I didn't get it installed correctly? Seemed pretty simple, i noticed it didn't "snap" down. i pushed it and tried to get it to "seat" the best I could but seems like the 10mm bolt that holds it down once i torqued down would make the sensor seat? Im very frustrated ive been dealing with this issue for 5 weeks. First sensor I got off ebay was the wrong one. Finally got the right one from rock auto. heres the link to the speed sensor i ordered.

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=3769875

maybe I asked too many questions at once. Lets start with the p0500. I replaced the sensor and provided the link to the sensor i purchased. This didn't do anything. What is the next step? Return the speed sensor and try a new cluster? Is there any way i could have put the sensor in wrong? Cmon somebody help me out here

Seafoam it, will not hurt. As for the speedometer and the cruise control they work hand in hand. If there is not speed input, you can't effectively use cruise control. Speed sensor is a good start, however you might want to verify that you are getting the correct voltages to the gauge cluster. Also might want to look at your fuses.