1997 Maxima 5spd. I read these cars have a lot of speedometer problems, does this sound like a gauge harness or the brown 5spd Speedo sensor that goes in the transmission.

Speedometer works, randomly. Sometimes she gors sometimes she don't, cause that's the way she goes. It worked when I test drove the car but started having problems not too long after purchase 6months ago.

I'll be driving down a country road and all the sudden it will drop to 0 or randomly pick back up and be at the right speed. Cruise control comes and goes along with it

Can sometimes be fixed by pressing/holding odometer trip reset button.

 

I have the same issue. Can either be the VSS (speed sensor,) gauge cluster, or any wires inbetween. The vss is cheap and easy to change out. Gauge cluster may be fixed by tightening up the screws on the back of the cluster. Usually they dont end up getting fixed, so you'll need a new cluster. Did you odometer stop rolling? mine did

VSS link for auto but its pretty much in the same spot for our manuals: https://maxima.org/forums/4th-genera...peedo-cel.html

 

Sometimes changing the vss and tighting the screws on the speedo does not solve the problem.


There are some solder joints on the speedo that get brittle, then cause intermittent contact. The solder joints are next to the mounting screws.
Re-solder them.


There are instructions somewhere in the forum. Do a search.


I had similar issues with my car. Re-soldering fixed the problem.


It would be good preventative maintenance to resolder the joints and tighten the screws when the cluster is removed.


For that matter, change out all the bulbs while you are in there anyway.
Wouldn't do to have a bulb go out not long after the cluster is back in place.

 

The cruise control uses the VSS signal that is relayed to it from the cluster, so the cruise control not working is to be expected.

 

Dennis, My vss and cluster work just fine. No check engine lights at this time.
I have the 5 speed.

My cruise control does not work. What should I check?

 

I honestly would start with downloading the Maxima FSM. They have good troubleshooting steps as well as diagrams and schematics.

 

Check the cruise disconnect switches that are on the brake pedal and clutch pedal. The switches themselves are not on the pedals, but there is a plastic, rubber type bumper on the pedal that contacts the switch and makes the switch work.

These bumpers dry up and break and fall out of the pedal and then the switch doesn't work, so the cruise control doesn't work. You will see 2 switches for each pedal. Only one on each pedal is for the cruise.