Instrument Clusters for Nissan Maxima
The Nissan Maxima is a full-size sedan known for its comfortable interior and powerful driving experience. When the instrument cluster malfunctions, however, driving these Nissan cars becomes hazardous. Because instrument clusters provide drivers with essential information, its important for drivers to replace or repair them without delay.
What is the instrument cluster?Every vehicle comes equipped with an instrument cluster. This essential vehicle component provides drivers with the gauges and readouts they need to stay safe on the road. Nissan Maxima sedans have gone through a variety of cluster displays over the years, but most of these cars have the following gauges located behind the steering wheel:
- Fuel gauge: This measures the level of fuel in the gas tank.
- Odometer/Twin Trip odometer: The odometer provides drivers with a record of their total distance driven. The twin trip odometer also allows you to track individual trip distance.
- Speedometer: This indicates vehicle speed.
- Tachometer: This indicates engine speed.
- Engine coolant temperature: This measures the coolant temperature, which varies based on driving conditions and air temperature.
- Checking lights: The Nissan Maximas instrument cluster has a number of checking lights, ranging from turn signals to slip indicators to low tire pressure warning lights.
Oftentimes, the instrument cluster lasts for the vehicles entire lifespan. When they fail, however, sometimes one gauge starts malfunctioning while the others continue to provide accurate readings. In the worst case scenario, however, the entire gauge cluster fails at once. When this happens, its usually caused by one of the following problems:
- Blown fuse: The instrument cluster is powered by a fuse. If this fuse stops working, the entire cluster will fail.
- Voltage regulator: Also crucial to cluster performance is the voltage regulator, which feeds the entire system. When the regulator fails, the readings are usually erratic or unusually low.
- Wiring issue: When drivers notice that all of their gauges are stuck on the highest possible reading, its probably caused by bad or faulty wiring.
If only one reading is affected, the problem is likely to be caused by one of the following reasons:
- Broken cable: On some Nissan Maximas, the speedometer display is powered by an individual cable. If this cable is damaged or broken, the speedometer may malfunction while the rest of the display readings remain correct.
- Bad Sensor: Correct readings are dependent on functional vehicle sensors. If one of these has gone bad, the corresponding gauge will cease to function.
When choosing a new instrument cluster, Nissan drivers can select OEM parts, which are made by Nissan, or aftermarket parts, which are made by outside manufacturers. If drivers choose to go the aftermarket route, they should make sure their chosen part is compatible with their cars make, model, and year.