S13 Odd Ignition/Electrical issue - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

southfloriida · 09-29-2013, 06:04 PM

Hey everyone, I have encountered a very odd problem that has gotten worse over time, it has now rendered my car useless until I get it figured out. I have a 1991 240sx with a recent dual cam swap, the car had a blown dual cam previously and my friends and I installed it (A 5 speed swap was done prior to the original motor blowing). On to my problems.. The car hesitates to start at first and it takes a few cranks, after the car starts it idles around 1000 RPM's then drops down to the 800 range, if I tap the brake pedal my tachometer along with my temp gauge begin to dance around to the point that the temp gauge maxes out. While driving the car the tachometer and temp gauge do jump around and the motor begins to hesitate and sputter from the top of 1st gear all the way through. Also just to note, the windshield wipers turn on randomly and are VERY slow...
I had the alternator and battery both tested and they are in perfect working order, I installed new battery terminals as well as the accessory wire clip, and have checked all obvious grounds in the engine bay. Thanks in advance for any troubleshooting tips. -Mason

KiLLeR2001 · 09-29-2013, 06:48 PM

Dancing temp gauge is usually indication of air in the system. If the gauge is rising up in temperature the computer reads it as hot and will start to run funky. I hope you weren't driving on hot for too long or you may have caused damage...

A dancing tachometer is usually an indication of a loose/faulty wire/ bad ground connection in the back of the gauge cluster or the wire from ECU to the cluster and any grounds related.

southfloriida · 09-29-2013, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KiLLeR2001

Dancing temp gauge is usually indication of air in the system. If the gauge is rising up in temperature the computer reads it as hot and will start to run funky. I hope you weren't driving on hot for too long or you may have caused damage...

A dancing tachometer is usually an indication of a loose/faulty wire/ bad ground connection in the back of the gauge cluster or the wire from ECU to the cluster and any grounds related.

It never really stayed at the hot side of the gauge as I drove it. I'm really struggling to figure this out as I've tested most of the grounds I have been able to locate with a test light and all have turned out good... It's my daily driver and I appreciate your advice. I tried a new gauge cluster the other day and the result was the same.

southfloriida · 09-30-2013, 09:29 PM

Just a little update, i've noticed that pressing the brake multiple time causes the car to bog down at idle... Almost down to the 450 RPM range. Any ideas are appreciated. Thanks

09-29-2013, 06:04 PM	#1
southfloriida Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: SWFL Age: 28 Posts: 7 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	S13 Odd Ignition/Electrical issue Hey everyone, I have encountered a very odd problem that has gotten worse over time, it has now rendered my car useless until I get it figured out. I have a 1991 240sx with a recent dual cam swap, the car had a blown dual cam previously and my friends and I installed it (A 5 speed swap was done prior to the original motor blowing). On to my problems.. The car hesitates to start at first and it takes a few cranks, after the car starts it idles around 1000 RPM's then drops down to the 800 range, if I tap the brake pedal my tachometer along with my temp gauge begin to dance around to the point that the temp gauge maxes out. While driving the car the tachometer and temp gauge do jump around and the motor begins to hesitate and sputter from the top of 1st gear all the way through. Also just to note, the windshield wipers turn on randomly and are VERY slow... I had the alternator and battery both tested and they are in perfect working order, I installed new battery terminals as well as the accessory wire clip, and have checked all obvious grounds in the engine bay. Thanks in advance for any troubleshooting tips. -Mason

09-29-2013, 06:48 PM	#2
KiLLeR2001 Post Whore! Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: オーランドフロリダ Posts: 7,955 Trader Rating: (46) Feedback Score: 46 reviews	Dancing temp gauge is usually indication of air in the system. If the gauge is rising up in temperature the computer reads it as hot and will start to run funky. I hope you weren't driving on hot for too long or you may have caused damage... A dancing tachometer is usually an indication of a loose/faulty wire/ bad ground connection in the back of the gauge cluster or the wire from ECU to the cluster and any grounds related. __________________

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09-30-2013, 09:29 PM	#4
southfloriida Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: SWFL Age: 28 Posts: 7 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Just a little update, i've noticed that pressing the brake multiple time causes the car to bog down at idle... Almost down to the 450 RPM range. Any ideas are appreciated. Thanks