gage cluster lights

[huevos]

Ok I recently put a 97 s13 blacktop into my 89 coupe. I used the 180sx gage cluster from the clip to get a working tach. The cluster works fine but I don't have any illumination when I turn on the headlights. The warning lights seem to work (the e-brake light comes on when I use the ebrake) but I can't read the gages in the dark :-/ . I am thinking about taping a flashlight to the stearing collum. Any ideas on what went wrong? Please don't let me lower myself to this level of ghetoness.

[AKADriver]

First thing, the duh stuff: did you check the bulbs? is the dimmer turned all the way down? Is the fuse blown?

The next thing I'd try would be to make sure there isn't any damage to the cluster or the dimmer wiring. Does the dimmer still work for the HVAC control panel lighting?

The three wires that control the lighting to the cluster are:

- Blue on the 12 pin connector, which is power for the clock light. This should be ignition-switched 12v.

- Red/Blue on the 12-pin connector, which is power for the main dash lights. This should be 12v switched by the headlight switch.

- Red/Yellow on the 10-pin connector, which is the dimmer for both. This should vary between 12v (dimmer all the way down) and 0v (dimmer all the way up).

If all those connections are normal, and the bulbs are okay, then either the cluster is damaged or the cluster is expecting some different connections for those wires.

[huevos]

thanks aka, I will check these things out and post results.

[TurK]

wth....a 97 s13 blacktop.......sigh

[AKADriver]

wth....a 97 s13 blacktop.......sigh

What's the problem?

"S13 blacktops" were produced from model years 1994 to 1998 for the 180SX.

[wootwoot]

ha! ownedddd

[evilimport]

^hehe :D