Nissan Repair: Gauges and engine, nissan xterra, pencil eraser

Question
I have a 2001 nissan xterra and the gauges will quit working completly and then all of a sudden they will come back to were they should be. Happens when i am on the freeway and it does not happen all the time.Sometime when it happens the engine will start to act like its not getting any gas then it will all start working again. I have taken it to the nissan dealer and they said they could not find nothing wrong with it. Dont know what to do now?

Answer
Shawn,

Remove the cluster and clean the connection and reinstall the cluster.  Use a number 3 pencil eraser to lightly rub the contacts and blow off the eraser dust and reconnect the cluster to the harness and bolt it back in.  If the cluster connector cleaning does not do the trick the cluster is on its way out and will need to be replaced.  A wrecking yard unit is the cheapest solution in this case.  Also, when the cluster looses connection the engine runs rough.  That is due to the computer picking up the vehicle speed at the cluster.  If it is not connecting properly the computer cannot read it...