Instrument cluster lights all on/Cruise control problem

Like2_4Wheel

Test Drive
Location
PEI Canada
I have a 2003 xterra 4x4 with auto trans.

Yesterday when I was driving the "set" light for the cruise control was flashing, and the cruise control doesn't work. It will turn on, but won't set to speed.

When I turn the SUV off and take out the key, all the lights on the instrument panel are on, and the windows can go up and down. They normally don't work with the key off and out.

The abs also doesn't work, but it hasn't worked ever since I bought it in January.

What is the problem, and how could I fix it?

Thanks.
 

Cptpackrat

Bumpers Installed
Location
Gillette WY
for the cruise control issue, theres a little rubber plug down on the brake pedal. There should be 2 of them, one for the brake lights and one for the cruise control
 

Like2_4Wheel

Test Drive
Location
PEI Canada
for the cruise control issue, theres a little rubber plug down on the brake pedal. There should be 2 of them, one for the brake lights and one for the cruise control

Where on the brake pedal, on where you put your foot? What do I do with them? Your message is a little confusing.
 

Cptpackrat

Bumpers Installed
Location
Gillette WY
Follow the brake pedal up under the dash. Theres a couple switches that when the pedal isnt being pushed it sits against them. There will be a small 1x2” plate welded to the pedal that has little rubber stoppers. Theyre about 1/2” in diameter and 1/4-3/8” thick
 

Like2_4Wheel

Test Drive
Location
PEI Canada
Today when I shut off the x it acted like I unhooked the battery. all the dash light turned off, the radio turned off, and the door beeper wasn't beeping when the door was open . when I turned the key once the radio didn't turn on. (It normally does.) When I turn it to the run position all the dash light go on and the radio turns on, but it is reset. When I start the engine the radio resets.

The cruse control still doesn't work.

Whets going on!? Please help!
 

J Everett

Suspension Lift
Founding Member
Location
Houma, LA
Follow the brake pedal up under the dash. Theres a couple switches that when the pedal isnt being pushed it sits against them. There will be a small 1x2” plate welded to the pedal that has little rubber stoppers. Theyre about 1/2” in diameter and 1/4-3/8” thick

What CPTpackrat is saying is that the little rubber pads press the electrical switches for the brake lights and cruise cancel when you press the brake pedal. The issue you describe with your cruise control is often because the little rubber stopper is missing, or the switch itself is damaged.

Your other electrical issues sound like damage from rats/squirrels chewing up wiring harnesses. Check the thick wiring harness coming from the ECU for damged wires, and chase it all the way to you instrument panel and ignition switch. It might also be the key switch itself is damaged, but I don't think so.
 

Like2_4Wheel

Test Drive
Location
PEI Canada
Hey guys, the transmission is now acting up. It starts off in second and doesn't go into over drive, if I put it in first gear manually it works in first gear, but when I put it in drive it starts off in second instead of first so it's really slow from a stop.

When I start it sometimes it won't start or sometimes it will make a ticking/grinding noise as if the battery was dead, but it's not. Also right after it starts it makes a ticking noise for a few seconds what sounds like it's coming from the dash.

One time when I started it the starter sounded like it was still spinning after I started the engine,so it was making a grinding noise. Then I shut it off.

What going on?! I haven't been able to drive it for a few weeks!

Thanks for your help!
 

Like2_4Wheel

Test Drive
Location
PEI Canada
Hey guys so I took my SUV to the mechanics, and he said it is something to do with the transmission ground or corroded electrical connectors. He said something about a transmission computer and like 40 wires. I couldn't find a big wiring harness coming off of the transmission. Only a couple connectors with two wires coming out of them near the transfer case on the passengers side. They looked fine.

Do you guys know what he is talking about?
 

Muadeeb

Nissan al Gaib
Admin
Location
Dallas
Transmission computer is in the cab, under the steering wheel near the "body" computer and the cruise computer. They are grounded behind the kick plate in the driver foot well.
 

Like2_4Wheel

Test Drive
Location
PEI Canada
So I checked what I thought was the transmission computer. Is it the silver metal box on the left side under the steering wheel with a gray and wight plug? and I also checked a wight box on the right side of the driver foot well. Both the connectors on both the computers looked fine. I checked the ground and the ground bolt was really rust so I'm socking it in apple sider vinegar, and hope fully that will clean up. I checked the ground and it was a little corroded but not horrible, I cleaned it any way.

Is this the transmission computer?
6259-aed3104a290271939fddee5c1721c41b.jpg

This is what the ground looks like.
6260-26f10dcd8a274b5620274eda32ef3ad3.jpg

6261-3bb6ca9d089eea8810a80c681028025c.jpg
 

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Muadeeb

Nissan al Gaib
Admin
Location
Dallas
Kinda hard to tell in your pics what is what. Here's where each module is.
computer%20modules.jpg



I do see a ton of corrosion on the body in your 4th pic, but it looks like the wires are actually attached to the upper hole.
 

J Everett

Suspension Lift
Founding Member
Location
Houma, LA
Yep. That's the TCM in your pic. I do not know if it grounds through the outer casement or if there is a specific ground wire. Someone with a factory service manual will need to chime in.

Edit: If that ground wire in the pic attached to your other post is supposed to be attached to that extremely rusty bolt hole, then I would suggest sanding as much of that corrosion away as possible, including cleaning the threads of the bolt hole and the bolt itself, and apply a conductive grease to the whole area before reassembling. See if that solves all your issues.
 

Like2_4Wheel

Test Drive
Location
PEI Canada
Yep. That's the TCM in your pic. I do not know if it grounds through the outer casement or if there is a specific ground wire. Someone with a factory service manual will need to chime in.

Edit: If that ground wire in the pic attached to your other post is supposed to be attached to that extremely rusty bolt hole, then I would suggest sanding as much of that corrosion away as possible, including cleaning the threads of the bolt hole and the bolt itself, and apply a conductive grease to the whole area before reassembling. See if that solves all your issues.
The ground wire was attached to the upper bolt hole. Are you saying its supposed to be attached to the rusty one?
 

J Everett

Suspension Lift
Founding Member
Location
Houma, LA
No, I wasn't saying that. That's why my sentence began with "If". What I am saying is that your ground connection should be free of corrosion. I would also check that taped-up bundle of wires attached to that ground lug and make sure they are all connected solidly.
 

Like2_4Wheel

Test Drive
Location
PEI Canada
Hey guys I checked the ground in the cab, the connector that plugs into the transmission computer, and cleaned it.Took the computer off, cleaned the mounting surface and took the computer apart and it looked ok in side. No corrosion or burnt stuff on the circuit board i could see. What should i check next? Is there any connectors that I should check on the transmission?
 

Like2_4Wheel

Test Drive
Location
PEI Canada
I found one of the fuses was blown and now it starts and drives normal. I also replaced the starter solenoid. The cruise control still doesn't work and the radio doesn't work ether. I tried a different radio and it didn't work. I also pulled up on the brake pedal wile driving and then set the cruise control, but it didn't work. The cruise control rubber switch thing is not missing. What do you guys think?
 
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