Nissan Repair: Nissan X-Trail 2003 TI, nissan x trail, crank sensor

Question
My Nissan is having an intermittent problem. The car will "shudder" during driving and then the taco will drop to zero and stop showing the revs. Its like it loses power but it keeps driving. At times it will stall, not start for a few turns of the key but then eventually start again. At times the 4WD light will stay on and not go off. It's a problem because it's not consistent and whenever I give it to anyone to check they cannot figure out what the problem is. I get it back with the promise its fine, and then a few days later it will happen again. I know this is a problem, as its not normal for the car to shudder like that. The right angle crank sensor was recently replaced as they believed this to be the problem, but it hasnt stopped the vehicle from faulting in the same manner as before.
I hope you can shed some light on this for me.
Thankyou

Answer
Caz,

I know this sounds strange.  But, the computer gets its signal for speed and the Tach from the instrument cluster.  If the cluster connection is loose it will cause intermittent problems as you described.  I would remove the cluster and clean the contacts with a pencil eraser and blow off the dust and reinstall.  Clean both the contacts on the cluster and the connector.  Check this out and email me back and let me know if it solves the problem.  That should take care of the 4X4 light too.  Another thing that will cause the intermittent shudder is the transistorized ignition amplifier.  But, do the cluster first since there is no part to buy.