s13 Digital Cluster Installed: Speedometer lights for 5 seconds and turns off?

[spray2020]

I won a digital cluster on ebay that is supposed to be in good condition with everything working-

I then looked for a digital HUD sub harness and finally found it-

I turned the car on and the speedometer lights up for about 5-10 seconds and then turns off

If I put the car in gear at startup the Speedo changes from zero- so I know that it works. But then turns off after 5-10 seconds.

The rpm gauge works, the door open indicator light works, the e-brake light works.

The clock doesn't work, or the switch from mph to km/h (within those 10 seconds of it being on at startup).

I read somewhere that the s13's that came with the digital HUD have a dimmer switch, and if it isn't installed then the speedo turns off?

My s13 has a dimmer switch, but it doesn't look factory and I cant find any plugs that plug into it?

Any idea what the problem might be? I know the capacitor usually goes bad on these- but wouldn't that mean that it wouldn't light
up at all?

[ this is on a jdm s13 silvia w/ca18det motor]

[Linux2501]

Any luck with this problem?

[thinhthan]

im having this same problem kinda. my speedometer will turn on if i turn the lights on but turn off as soon as i press the brake.

[mycologic]

im having this same problem kinda. my speedometer will turn on if i turn the lights on but turn off as soon as i press the brake.

this thread is 3 years old i know but did you ever figure out this problem? i am going through the exact same thing.

[_n3]

It still could be the caps. $.20 to replace them if you have any soldering skills from digikey. Replace caps and report back.

[justinbyrant]

more info please the hud unit doesn't work or the actual cluster doesn't work with the hud unit?

[kruked]

Fucking Google man. This has been discussed and solved so many times.