Bad cluster vs Bad wiring?

[jarred3636]

I'm pretty sure a lot of you are tired of seeing "cluster not working" threads. I'm sorry to add another one but my question is a little more different. How would you know if the cluster itself needs replacing or if there is an electrical issue?

I have a 95 s14 that has an s13 red top swap. The original owner said he was going to replace the cluster but lowered the price for me instead since I was in a rush to buy it. After doing a lot of thread research, I found that bad grounds, ecu, tcu, etc. are the usual problems. But how would I tell if its the actual cluster that's bad?

[racepar1]

In what manner is the cluster "bad". How are we supposed to tell you how to test it if you don't even tell us what circuit needs to be tested? Is there some generic cluster test that magically tests all circuits at the same time? I think not...

I've never seen a s-chasis cluster that went bad in any way, unless it was a HUD/digital cluster.

[jarred3636]

In what manner is the cluster "bad". How are we supposed to tell you how to test it if you don't even tell us what circuit needs to be tested? Is there some generic cluster test that magically tests all circuits at the same time? I think not...

I've never seen a s-chasis cluster that went bad in any way, unless it was a HUD/digital cluster.

Sorry, I should have been more specific. It is not a HUD/digital cluster. My MPH, RPM, and temp doesn't work and only half of the cluster lights up. This is my first s-chasis so please bear with me.

[Mikester]

But how would I tell if its the actual cluster that's bad?

The cluster takes electrical signals and transposes them into electromechanical visual cues.

Change it & see if the problem goes away.

OR

Grab a meter & check all the inputs from the systems that feed it.

How exactly was this question any different?

[jarred3636]

The cluster takes electrical signals and transposes them into electromechanical visual cues.

Change it & see if the problem goes away.

OR

Grab a meter & check all the inputs from the systems that feed it.

How exactly was this question any different?

Basically what I was trying to say is, what if I had tampered with the grounds and what not and the problem didn't go away. To what point would I just stop, and buy a new cluster, if the cluster itself doesn't work. But according to racepar1, they don't just "go bad" meaning that it's more than likely an electrical issue.

[thefro526]

Basically what I was trying to say is, what if I had tampered with the grounds and what not and the problem didn't go away. To what point would I just stop, and buy a new cluster, if the cluster itself doesn't work. But according to racepar1, they don't just "go bad" meaning that it's more than likely an electrical issue.

The cluster wiring is actually really easy, and looking at your symptoms leads me to believe that you should be able to do diag fairly easily.

The functions that aren't working are the Tachometer, Speedometer and Temperature Sensor, but you didn't mention any problem with the fuel gauge.

Odds are, the wiring from the Engine Harness (upper and lower) isn't connected to the chassis harness correctly, considering that the Tach, Speedo, and Temp gauges all get their signals through/from the engine harness. It's also VERY unlikely that all of those gauges would fail together, if it were any one of them, it'd make a bit more sense. (FWIW, Tachs in S14's do go bad somewhat frequently)

The wiring diagrams (for the S14 Cluster) are here: http://www.240edge.com/manuals/95_240sx/el.pdf

[jarred3636]

The cluster wiring is actually really easy, and looking at your symptoms leads me to believe that you should be able to do diag fairly easily.

The functions that aren't working are the Tachometer, Speedometer and Temperature Sensor, but you didn't mention any problem with the fuel gauge.

Odds are, the wiring from the Engine Harness (upper and lower) isn't connected to the chassis harness correctly, considering that the Tach, Speedo, and Temp gauges all get their signals through/from the engine harness. It's also VERY unlikely that all of those gauges would fail together, if it were any one of them, it'd make a bit more sense. (FWIW, Tachs in S14's do go bad somewhat frequently)

The wiring diagrams (for the S14 Cluster) are here: http://www.240edge.com/manuals/95_240sx/el.pdf

Thank you! This is the exact information I was looking for! Thanks a ton cause I was so close to buying a new cluster lol I'll take a look at all this over the weekend!

[jarred3636]

The cluster wiring is actually really easy, and looking at your symptoms leads me to believe that you should be able to do diag fairly easily.

The functions that aren't working are the Tachometer, Speedometer and Temperature Sensor, but you didn't mention any problem with the fuel gauge.

Odds are, the wiring from the Engine Harness (upper and lower) isn't connected to the chassis harness correctly, considering that the Tach, Speedo, and Temp gauges all get their signals through/from the engine harness. It's also VERY unlikely that all of those gauges would fail together, if it were any one of them, it'd make a bit more sense. (FWIW, Tachs in S14's do go bad somewhat frequently)

The wiring diagrams (for the S14 Cluster) are here: http://www.240edge.com/manuals/95_240sx/el.pdf

Also, if this is any helpful info, my dome light and a/c control lights aren't working as well.

[LayNLow]

Keep in mind that the sensors in the engine that give input to the cluster are different from S13 to S14. You may have to swap sensors (temp and speed) for it to read correctly as well. Being that your tach doesn't work I will say that none of it got wired up, or is wired incorrectly.

[racepar1]

Also, if this is any helpful info, my dome light and a/c control lights aren't working as well.

Did you check ALL the fuses?

It sounds like you just bought yourself a typical zilvia/craigslist hackjob special. It's going to take a LOT of time, effort, and money to sort through all this stuff. Have patience, it won't be easy. You seem pretty "green" on electrical diagnostics. I mean, do you even have a wiring diagram? Or are you just shooting blindly? I would suggest you find a reputable mechanic in your area that works on 240's. This is also not going to be an easy process though...