Cluster problem

Tiny
MAXIMA9999
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 NISSAN MAXIMA
  • 3.0L
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 275,000 MILES
Hi,

Suddenly the gauges for the tachometer, odometer, temperature, gas, stopped working. Then it started acting very weird like when ever there is a bump they start jumping then going back to zero. That happens also if I hit the cluster at the dashboard area I mean gently by hand. I found out that this happens when the temperature is really hot outside and even the small screen showing the mileage. I have the car for more than a year and half and this is the first time I see this happening to me.
i took the cluster out and I found something strange which I believe the previous owner has made and you can see the red wire in the attached photo is not connected he has somehow disabled that, but I do not know what does this mean.

Please help me with suggestions and if the red wire should be connected where should it be connected to.

Thank you very much,

Thamir.
Thursday, April 27th, 2017 AT 1:55 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,877 POSTS
Hello,

It sounds like you have a bad connection which shorts out when warm which is what they do. Test for power and the harness connectors and check the ground as well. I do not know what that box is but it looks factory so make sure the connections are good. Here is a wiring diagram and a guide to help you with the testing.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

Please run some tests and get back to us so we can continue helping you.

Cheers, Ken
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Thursday, April 27th, 2017 AT 12:17 PM
Tiny
MITCHGRABER
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 NISSAN MAXIMA
  • 145,000 MILES
While driving the gauges just started to go up and down cruise control when off and fuel went to full then empty water gauge went to cold then all started to work again. This happened a few times car was still driving well just would like to know if this is a voltage regulator or a possible short.
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Thursday, April 27th, 2017 AT 12:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
Symptom indicates a bad ground circuit to be a more likely cause of the problem. Have the ground circuits checked. It could also be a loose connector and I would suggest removing the meter cluster to check them.
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Thursday, April 27th, 2017 AT 12:18 PM (Merged)

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