Cruise Control problems of the 2000 Nissan Altima

While going 75mph on cruise control all of a sudden all the gauges (rpm, mph, fuel, engine temp) dropped down to zero. Only the cruise control lights remained on. All while a combination of #'s and letters came up on the odometer (even the odometer went blank). It was a shock and I did not know how to react to this. My first reaction was to turn off the cruise control via the buttons on the steering wheel, as soon as I did it this caused all the gauges to come back to life including the odometer. Very weird issue.

I own a 2000 Nissan Altima gxe, and have been experiencing a failure in the speedometer, tach, odometer, and temp gauge while driving. The gauges will freeze up at any time and stay at their last position, while the car continues to operate as normal. The cruise control will also kick off if it is being used at the time. This leads to a vehicle that is only drivable by using the naked eye and judging your speed by other cars, and a failure in correct reporting of mileage. A solution is still under investigation, and a dealer has not been able to diagnosis it yet. I have seen many other reports of this same problem on several models of Nissans of this year (frontier, sentra, pathfinders) posted at various online car forums. Obviously this is a dangerous issue that has been overlooked by Nissan USA.

I bought this 2000 Nissan Altima new. Since approximately December of '03 the instrument cluster has repeatedly (too many times to keep track of) malfunctioned at arbitrary times giving either no info (gauges all go to 0) or incorrect info (130 mph at 1k rpm w/no water temp and suddenly full tank of gas). Problem can last any where from minutes to 24 hours+. The cruise control also malfunctions whenever this occurs. First took to dealer on 12/31/03, they could not diagnose problem, told me to bring it back while malfunctioning. Finally was able to get the car while malfunctioning to same dealership on 8/1/05. Problem has started to increase in frequency and duration. The second they hooked diagnostic equip to it the cluster corrected. They kept for 2 days, did not malfunction again so they could not diagnose 100%. They want to try replacing the speedometer head at $320, but 1) can't guarantee it will solve problem and 2) can't get part. They estimate 6-8 wks minimum to get part. When I went to leave dealership cluster malfunctioned showing no information, but no technician was available to diagnose. Showed zero on all gauges except gas which arbitrarily read 3/4 tank for entire 20-25 mile trip home. This car is an accident, or worse, waiting to happen.

I have a manual transmission. The engine idle becomes erratic at times, sometimes when you start it the idle will go up and down from 1000 to 2100 continuously. Most of the time the idle remains high when you push in the clutch around 1600rpm until you come to a complete stop. Other time the idle goes very low near 400 rpm almost to a stall condition. Nissan says its normal. I have seen this same complaint not only with the Altima but with the Nissan frontier 2. 4l with manual as well (same engine as the Altima).