No Speedometer! :(

[jontron5000]

Hey guys,

I have searched google about this problem, I have found threads from people that have the same symptoms as me, but no one has come up with a solid solution of how to fix it. If any of you have found something that could help me out that would be awesome.

Problem:
The car is a 1990 240SX SOHC Manual

Put in a 180SX JDM Cluster (non Type X). Reads 180 km/h and 7500 rpm redline

Swapped in an S13 SR20DET Blacktop. Did my own wiring following the FRSport wiring guide. Car stars up perfectly fine. Everything electrical works in the dash, such as tach, gas, temp, door open lights, battery, etc. However the only one that doesn't work is the speedometer and obviously the odometers don't work.

I thought it might have something to do with the speed sensor from the SR trans, so I replaced that with a USDM DOHC s13 speed sensor and still nothing reads.

The lower harness plug for the speed sensor has yellow/green and yellow/black wires on it. The wires on the speed sensor are all green (for the SR speed sensor) and the KA speed sensor has two different color wires. Does this sound right?

Is there some place else I should check for this problem?

I'm so stumped :( :wtf:

Thanks guys

[dkim1985]

i recently had this problem with my US cluster..
theres a short on the cluster thats cutting off the speedometer.
i just ended up buying a used cluster from someone here on zilvia.
problem fixed.

that was just my scenario though.. :-/

[DRIFTING_SIL_EIGHTY]

This was my problem and I traced everything from end to end. Turned out to be the plug from the lower harness that connects to the speed sensor. Make sure the prongs in the plug are going to the middle slot on the speed sensor connector. Hope this helps.

[Jdm240sx123]

Sounds like the cluster to me.

[dkim1985]

This was my problem and I traced everything from end to end. Turned out to be the plug from the lower harness that connects to the speed sensor. Make sure the prongs in the plug are going to the middle slot on the speed sensor connector. Hope this helps.

he said he replaced the speed sensor already.

i replaced my speed sensor too. ..turned out it was the cluster.

[jontron5000]

Is there a way to test the speedometer to see if it actually works using a voltmeter or something?

[dkim1985]

Is there a way to test the speedometer to see if it actually works using a voltmeter or something?
not that i know of..maybe someone else knows..
i would just pay $30-$40 for a used cluster..test it out like that.

[yetijeff]

Is there a way to test the speedometer to see if it actually works using a voltmeter or something?

im pretty sure u can use an ohm meter. find a cluster u KNOW works check the resistance between "ign" and ground. then do the same with yours. if theyre the same then obviously there something else wrong (i.e. wiring, bad connection etc.) if its different replace speedo or whole cluster.

but. like the other guy said u can pick one up from 10-40$ swap em and see. its alot quicker lol

[jontron5000]

im pretty sure u can use an ohm meter. find a cluster u KNOW works check the resistance between "ign" and ground. then do the same with yours. if theyre the same then obviously there something else wrong (i.e. wiring, bad connection etc.) if its different replace speedo or whole cluster.

but. like the other guy said u can pick one up from 10-40$ swap em and see. its alot quicker lol

i picked up the cluster from the for sale section a while ago, the guy said everything works

i just dont wanna keep chasing ghosts if its not the cluster and continuously throwing away $40 in the process

[dkim1985]

i picked up the cluster from the for sale section a while ago, the guy said everything works

i just dont wanna keep chasing ghosts if its not the cluster and continuously throwing away $40 in the process

if it still doesnt work..atleast u know the cluster is supposed to be in working condition so u know its not your cluster thats bad. u can just resell the cluster u bought and try a different route.
..i have a feeling its the cluster though.. =]

[jontron5000]

hmm, has anyone tried to cut off the clips and just solder the wires from the speed sensor to the ones its supposed to connect to on the engine/tranny harness?

just a thought

[HYPNOTIK]

I went through two clusters in my Skyline and one in my Silvia. They like to go bad.

[yetijeff]

ya i just had the same problem with my hatch. honestly 40 is a lil pricey. i picked mine up for 10$ from a memeber on here. i know thats below average but ive seen em all day 20-30. was the speed sensor brand new or used? those also enjoy taking shits as well.

my problem was strange. the speedo would work intermitently. when it wasnt working the car would cut ignition & fuel at 3500 rpms in 5th gear. (about 80) but when would work id have no issue. get a new speedo and try to get a brand new vss. theyre way expensive but its worth knowing its GONNA WORK

[ray666]

ive gone through 2 and ive just given up on fixing it. i think it the vss thats bad.

[jontron5000]

so i put in my old SOHC cluster and when the ignition is on, the speedometer rises to 55 mph and sits there, none of the other gauges work.

when the ignition is off, it rests at like 10 mph and then doesn't do anything when the car is on.

the wires from the VSS to the clip that connects it to the lower fuse box are in continuity. And then from the VSS clip to the wires in the dash are also in continuity. So its not a matter of bad connection/signal

I think it may be the speedometer itself?

[hernandezadrian]

I'm having the same problem I swapped the single cam out for the twin cam ka and the speedometer and rpms dont work now