Error in the 12 hive log file in a multi server farm. Index and MOSS(WSS) servers are separate.

SearchDataAccessServiceInstance.Synchronize(). local searchserviceinstance status is bad. Object statuses: ssp status Online sspdb Online searchdb Online ssp search service instance Online local search service instance Disabled

Is apparently caused by issues with the SSL certificate used for the MOSS server to connect with the Index server.

http://support.microsoft.com/?id=962928

Provides a 6 step solution.