Nissan Repair: 2001 Nissan Altima, square wave signal, nissan altima

Question
I'm having sporadic problem with my 2001 Nissan Altima.  Occasionally the Speedometer and RPM Gauge will fall straight down and will not move.  The odometer will go blank and I loose acceleration over approx. 40MPH.  The length of time this last varies.  The gauges will then start to work and the odometer will work and I regain acceleration.  The dealer advised me that I would have to bring it in when it occurs to hook it up to the computer.  The only problem is that it's so sporadic that it would be very unlikely that I would next to the dealer when it happens.

Answer
Gary,

The computer picks up the vehicle speed from the speedometer.  Understand that the transmission sends a square wave signal to the cluster and that is where the computer picks it up.  Nissan has had problems with clusters not having good connection and light corrosion on the contacts.  I would remove the cluster and clean the contacts on both the cluster and the harness with a number 2 pencil eraser and then blow off the eraser dust and reinstall it.  Do not scrub too hard as you are only to take down the corrosion and once the surfaces are bright it is good to go.  Try it out as this is the nubmer one cause.  If this does not do the trick you will need to have the cluster serviced or get one from a wrecking yard.