Nissan Repair: Q45 electrical problem w/intr. cluster and windows...intermittent, infiniti q45, auto electrician

Question
Having trouble with '96 Infiniti Q45 (don't laugh, but I just bought it yesterday)...sometimes on startup, the entire instrument cluster, air conditioner, cruise control, rear defrost, power windows, sunroof and dimmer switch will all be without power simultaneously...then all at once, they come back on without warning, sometimes a couple of minutes later. It seems that they are all under the same circuit and there is a loose wire or fuse, a short or some sort of ground.
Any idea what the culprit could be? This happens about 25% of the time on start-up. Other times power goes out on the road without warning...then comes back on minutes later (perhaps after hitting the right bump in the road). I can live with this problem, but these things only get worse...right? My thought is that the major clue as to what is wrong has to do with the fact that windows/roof controls go out simultaneously with the instrument cluster and the controls in immediate proximity to it. This 'clue' must lead a skilled auto electrician with an electrical diagram right to the problem, right?
I'd really like to avoid the risk of paying a mechanic $600 in labor to tear apart my dash and NOT fix the problem. Any recommendation on who to take this to for troubleshooting/repair? I'm going to check for a loose master fuse today and see if that could be the problem.
Thanks,
AJ

Answer
Alan,

There are several relays that control systems on the car when you have it started.  This is where I would start.  If it is not the relay then I would wiggle the ignition switch since if it is not a relay then the switch is not coming back to the proper position and this would cause the problem.  When I mean wiggle I mean to jiggle the key in the run mode and not to turn it.  You can move it up and down and slightly rotate it to see if the systems die and come back on.  I have seen a few with the jey cylinder being worn out.  There are carbon contacts that run against copper contacts and they do wear out.