New 240 car.. Cluster Problems!?!

[chasekeaton]

Hey guys, im new, i have had 20 drag hondas, and i am finally switching to nissan. so hello all!

I bought a 90 SE last night, pretty much for the good body.

The cluster's HUD doesnt work, Gas Gage doesnt work, and the trip and odo (so who really know what the miles are, kinda sucks) doesnt work.

What should i do? go ahead and get the jdm cluster? or do you think they are other issues in the car that need to be fixed, or is the cluster just shot?

Thanks Chase!!

[Dream240]

A JDM cluster is not what you need. Check fuses. If those are good source out a used HUD cluster from eGay...

welcome.

[chasekeaton]

Why not the jdm cluster to just by pass the little HUD thing? or is the HUD thing preatty cool? i wouldnt know i have never been in on, until mine last night and it doesnt work.

I will jump on those fuses right now! Thanks for the info

[Taniguchi_Is_#1]

HUD is cool. i miss mine. but yeah, if you don't care, just get an analog cluster. you'll have to get the analog sub-harness also, though, because the HUD sub-harness is different.

[Dream240]

HUD is bleh....most times it's just distracting. Just get a replacement analog if it is in fact your guages. Also after you check the fuses (driver side kick panel) I would pull the guages out and just check to see if they're plugged in!

Could be that the previous owner was trying to keep the mileage down and unplugged them...... :o

[CA18_S13]

Hud is good if you don't like looking down at the needle and its just digital display of mph you run. But you can switch to km/h if you want. I love my hud when i go drifting especially with my helmet on.

[chasekeaton]

i am in class right now, and i have not really gotten the chance to glance at the cluster and see how hard it is to remove.

so how hard is it to remove? does the dash have to come out?

[SimpleSexy180]

its just a bunch of small screws and a few bolts.

dash doesnt have to come out to get the cluster.

the plastic trim around the cluster needs to be out though.

the only annoying part is dropping the steering rack.

[chasekeaton]

dam you have to drop the rack to get that thing out... ghey

[hahahahaha]

no dash does not have to come off maybe at the most drop the steering colum that would be the easyest way .. so u dont brake the thing around the cluster
but all it is, Is screws thats about it then just unplug the cluster shouldnt take u more than 30min

[hahahahaha]

yes what downshift said ^ ^ ^ ^ ^

[s13gold]

how is your winshield?

[projectRDM]

The JDM cluster will still need to use the SOHC tach, so it's a complete waste of money. Fix the problems you have before trying to cover it up with more shit.

[Dream240]

i am in class right now, and i have not really gotten the chance to glance at the cluster and see how hard it is to remove.

so how hard is it to remove? does the dash have to come out?

1. Remove the driver side kick panel and door sill.
2. Remove the lower dash piece under the steering column (6 bolts)
3. Remove the steering wheel surround trim (6 screws)
4. Loosen the back two steering column nuts till they're almost off, but dont take them off! <=important (12mm)
5. Remove the two front bolts holding the steering column up. (12mm)
6. Lower steering column until it comes to rest on the two nuts in the back.
7. Remove screws holding the guages in. (2 screws)
8. Carefully tug at the guage trim by the black plastic area until it pops out.
9. Carefully disconnect all the switches on the backside of the trim panel.
10. Remove the screws holding guage cluster (3 screws)
11. Pull the cluster out and disconnect the 3 connectors on the back.
12. Done, reverse order for re-install.

Hope this helps.

[projectRDM]

All the above except #4. You don't need to loosen the rear nuts that support the column.

[chasekeaton]

thanks for that... i got it out already... simple..

all of the plugs were plugged up, so i am guessing the cluster is just shit??

[Dream240]

All the above except #4. You don't need to loosen the rear nuts that support the column.

I just do it so that it's not so hard to line it back up again. The rear studs are always a bitch for me. Removing the nuts will let the column go lower. Needed for the auto-manual brake
pedal swap.

original poster, the fuses are all good?

[chasekeaton]

i didnt check ALL of the fuses i am about to go back out and do that.

next question: i am going to swap the car soon with the sr20, and if this cluster is worthless, should get a new hud cluster ? will this work corectly with the sr20 swap? (i thought i read somewhere that, they are not accurate with the sr20 swap... thanks

[Taniguchi_Is_#1]

if you get an SR, you'll need a US DOHC or JDM cluster. SOHC tach doesn't work for SRs.

[chasekeaton]

JDM cluster? as of any JDM cluster? i.e. password jdm cluster? (do i need the harness that comes with or doesnt come with) the cluster?

UPDATE: all the fuses in the kick panel fuse box are operational!

[mRclARK1]

I have an analog DOHC JDM cluster that I don't need lying around. It should work for what you need. PM me if you're interested.