My Speedometer went out. What would be the cheapest
and best way to fix this and can I do it myself.

 

Be cautious. You may have already had a diag done on it but if not have your speed sensor checked. I have a couple of other posts in the forum on related problems. the issue on my car was that the speed sensor (on the tranny, 5sp) failed. The owner of the car at the time continued to drive it as it was an intermittent problem. Nissan told me that that if the car is driven in this state that the faulty speed sensor can actually burn out the Speedo head electronics. The symptom I had was that the needle started to bounce then drop to 0. The symptom looks the same when the sensor or the speedo itself is gone.

It also affected steering as it is a speed sensitive system. I am not sure how to test the speed sensor other than taking it in somewhere.

The speedo head assembly from what I understand comes as a whole. I am not sure if it includes the gauge face,needle and all that but Nissan Quoted me $450CAD for the relacement, which was as they stated the "Speedo Head Assembly" It is what takes the DC signal produced from the speed sensor and turns it back into an AC one I think making your needle move.

..Dan
Calgary AB

 

I replaced the sensor just because I had a 50/50 chance
on correcting the problem. It is the Speedo Head. Should
I get one from the junk yard or go ahead and have the
dealer do it? P.S. If you do replace the sensor DO NOT
drive the car untill you have the sensor hooked up and working. Could cause total loss of control.

Dave Eckart

 

I spoke to the mechanic who has been working on my car and he said it was pretty easy to do, about an hour job. Take it with a grain of salt though, he is not a Nissan tech but again he has worked quite a few Z's. If you do do it yourself let me know how it was because I have still not replaced mine. The cost for me (in Canadian) is $450 for parts.

..Dan

 

Hey if you haven't bought your speedo yet have a look on ebay. I was looking and came accross this but they won't ship to Canada!!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=1865599682

..Dan

 

Been out of town. Thanks for the advice. We will let ya know.

David