Speedometer/Tach shuts off in the middle of freeway

[civilicious]

2000 Nissan Pathfinder
V6 SE Automatic

Driving home from work, I noticed the engine work a little harder driving up the hill. I was going about 60-65mph. I look down on the panel and the speedometer, odometer, tachometer, temperature/gas guage shut off. Pretty much the entire front panel shut off. The car is running. The radio is still running. After 30 seconds or so, the speedometer jumps right up and everything starts to work again.

What in the hell?!?!?!?

Also important to note, about 3 days ago I had a hard time starting the car. I would try to turn it on, but the ignition never turned. no cranking. nothing. The radio turned on. After playing with the gas pedal and releasing the parking break and trying to turn the car on for a while, it finally turned and cranked for a bit (~5 seconds) until the car engine started running.

Any ideas?

 

[KillerCharlie]

That exact thing happened to me once where the all the gauges went out, then came back. After about 10 miles though the entire car shut off... alternator was dead.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Electrical glitch. In the OP's case, probably bad grounds since it was intermittent and there was trouble starting. My immediate suspect is a bad ground.

ZV

 

[civilicious]

and where might i check for bad grounding ZV?

 

[iamwiz82]

Mine was a bad ground in the dashboard somewhere. One quick thump on the dash and the instrument panel would come back.

 

[996GT2]

My friend's old Audi 100 used to have this exact same problem. After he hit it on the top center part of the dash a few times it would always come back to normal.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: civilicious
and where might i check for bad grounding ZV?

Anywhere in the car where there's a ground. Unfortunately ground points are vehicle-specific. Some of the major ones can be obvious (the battery ground cable, the starter grounds, and the engine ground strap), but there are always a bunch of minor grounding points that are buried in odd places like under the seats or behind the dashboard, etc.

ZV

 

[civilicious]

Car isnt starting anymore. the radio turns on. but the automatic windows dont roll down. nor does the ignition try to crank.

 

[crosshairs]

My money is on the ignition switch, or an ignition switch feed.
try wiggling the key while you try and crank it.....move it around in the cylinder and what not.

 

[Gamingphreek]

Originally posted by: civilicious
Car isnt starting anymore. the radio turns on. but the automatic windows dont roll down. nor does the ignition try to crank.

Do you get a click when you try and turn the key at all?

Have you tried jumping the starter directly? If not try that or try as you turn the key have some tap the starter (Note: They will get a small light electrical jolt)

The fact that the radio turns on makes me think that it can't be the alternator since at least one piece of equipment is getting power-- but I'm not sure.

-Kevin

 

[civilicious]

No clicks when i try and turn the key.

It happens so sporadically that im guessing its a loose ground....

 

[Gamingphreek]

Originally posted by: civilicious
No clicks when i try and turn the key.

It happens so sporadically that im guessing its a loose ground....

Since it happens sporadically a loose ground sounds like the best idea.

How does your battery look though? Is there a lot of corrosion on the leads or anything? Insulation coming off where a wire could be shorting occasionally?

-Kevin

 

[civilicious]

it seems to be an electrical problem (i think). I unplugged the wiring going into the starter (near the steering wheel), plugged it back in, wiggled it around, and the car started, with the dash controls powered on. Are most mechanics knowledgeable of the electrical system of a car? or do i take it into a shop where they specialize in electrical problems? might be a stupid question...

 

[Gamingphreek]

Originally posted by: civilicious
it seems to be an electrical problem (i think). I unplugged the wiring going into the starter (near the steering wheel), plugged it back in, wiggled it around, and the car started, with the dash controls powered on. Are most mechanics knowledgeable of the electrical system of a car? or do i take it into a shop where they specialize in electrical problems? might be a stupid question...

Most mechanic shops have access to full wiring diagrams of a car. Bring it to a mechanic you trust and let them work on it.

If you are on the fence, you will pay a lot more, but the dealer is always safe.

 

[crosshairs]

Originally posted by: civilicious
it seems to be an electrical problem (i think). I unplugged the wiring going into the starter (near the steering wheel), plugged it back in, wiggled it around, and the car started, with the dash controls powered on. Are most mechanics knowledgeable of the electrical system of a car? or do i take it into a shop where they specialize in electrical problems? might be a stupid question...

I still say its the ignition switch.

Originally posted by: crosshairs
My money is on the ignition switch, or an ignition switch feed.
try wiggling the key while you try and crank it.....move it around in the cylinder and what not.