Questions and Answers
Nissan Speedometer Problem
Q. I have a 1995 Nissan Sentra, Automatic trans, Milage: approx 79k, EFI, P/S, A/C, Cruise. I've just recently noticed that my odometer isn't working. The speedometer works fine and the cruise works fine. This tells me that the cable is still in one piece. If the problem turns out to be the speedometer assembly, just how hard is it to replace? What's the cost on this item. Is it legal to purchase and use a used speedometer assembly? How does one go about documenting the assembly change to the Department of Public Safety?
A. The odometer is part of the speedometer and must be replaced as a unit. It's not very difficult to replace. The instrument cluster must come out. Look above the bezel around the cluster. Along the top there are 2 or 3 phillips screws that you must remove. Along the bottom of the bezel there are 2 screws on each side of the steering column. You'll have to take down the lower instrument cluster to see them. You might have to take the covers off the steering wheel as well.
Look under the covers and you will see a series of holes and 2 screws, inside those holes are phillips screws, remove all the screws and the two halves of the cover will come off. This should give you the room you need to remove the bezel. Once the bezel is off, there are 4 phillips screws that hold the cluster in. Remove the screws and pull the cluster out. There are 2 or 3 connectors plugged into the cluster. gently remove the connectors and remove the cluster completely.
Once the cluster is out, there's a couple of screws holding the speedometer assembly in place. Take the screws out and remove the assembly. Just reverse the procedure to install the replacement. There is nothing wrong with getting a used speedometer assembly and installing it.
When you bought the car, you got the thick owners manual and a thinner maintenance book. In the back of the maintenance book is a mail in card that you fill out and send to Nissan. They will record the new milage in their database.
