Weird Electrical S14

[DriftVader]

SO im completely stumped as too where too even start trouble shooting.

My car did run fine about 2 weeks ago. Now all of a sudden the car wont start if i have my gauge cluster hooked up and if I start the car with the cluster out, then plug it in, the cars RPMs drop and it sounds like a heavy load is beig put ont he battery. With the cluster plugged in the alternator is only generating 12.75V. With the Cluster not plugged in, the alternator does even charge, the battery just says 11.5V. Not sure if maybe my cluster jsut went bad, or what. But When i have the cluster plugged in, everyone on it works, just seems to be creating some type of heavy load on the car. not sure. any help would be great. thanks.

[fliprayzin240sx]

I'd check the cluster plug and see if anything is grounding out in there. I'd start there. But that still wont solve your alternator issue. I'd take the alternator out and have it tested. I doubt the cluster issue you have has anything to do with the alternator to be honest with you. I doubt those wires would cause that bad of a power drain. Your car would catch on fire first.

[jorge1190]

The alternator won't charge because the "Battery" light in the cluster finishes the circuit that tells the alternator to charge so I wouldn't worry about that.

Try a different cluster, it does sound like something is grounding out.

[DriftVader]

i took the alternator too autozone and they said it was at 15V. so its a good alternator. lol. thansk guysil post back once ive tried with a different cluster.