Nissan Repair: free car for my daughter, cv boots, temp guage

Question
1993 Nissan Maxima 3.0 V6
Description Where Is The Temp Guage And Cc Fuses Located? Checked Fuse Panel Under Dash By Drivers Door And Under Hood Boxes. Also A Knocking That Sounds As If Its Just In Top Of Engine, Maybe Valve Adjustment Needed? Seems To Quiet Or Stop Once Warmed Up Or Driving??? Also Vibration During Acceleration At Lower Speeds Or When You "get On It" At Higher Speeds. Help....any Suggestions Would Be Great. Was Just Given The Car For My Daughter And Can't Let Her Drive It Till I Know Its Safe. Thanks, Jeff  

Answer
Jeff,

The temperature gauge is part of the instrument cluster fuse.  If it is not working replace the sending unit.  If that does not do the trick replace the gauge.

For the knock, if you are not using 5W30 oil, do so.  If you are change to mobil 1 synthetic.  If that does not work then adjust the valves.  Specifications are under the hood and I would purchase a Haynes Manual to have the instructions.

The vibration during acceleration could be one of several things.  First, check the CV boots to see if they are torn and if so repalce the CV driveshafts and the vibration should be corrected.