Dimmer switch compatability:

[supraguy@aol]

Does the 90-92 dimmer switch plug into the 87-89 harness plug?
I was curious. Thanks.

 

[GrimJack]

It plugs in, sure. Whether it works or not, that's another question.

 

[Kevin]

only one way to find out

 

[reydio]

It plugs in but it won't work, you will need to switch the wires around. I think Jeff Lange knows the wiring diagram. Be careful, if you wire it the wrong way, you will blow your fuse, affecting the dash, and fog lights.

 

[supraguy@aol]

oh...

 

[RazoE]

yeah, I tried to use a 90+ dash panel and switch gear in my 89, but the dimmer did not work at all...

it'll plug right in, but will not function..

also the lower brackets for the dash panel must be changed, and the steering column as well; much too work for something small, but I'll probably tackle it another time...

 

[reydio]

I guess I answered too fast.....It can work, you just need to switch the wires around. Pre 89 have a different pin out, it's a matter of moving the wires to the corresponding slot on the dimmer. I remember Jeff providing the info on which wire color to swap with the pre 89 and 89 plus. When you look at both dimmers, 1 or 2 spades are in different location(can't remember which one).

 

[supraguy@aol]

Hmm.
Guess I need to pm him then.
Thanks

 

[RazoE]

then post whatever he told you..!

 

[supraguy@aol]

Well, just got a pm back from Mr. Lange, and he says the later style dimmer is plug n' play.
So...yay me.

: )

 

[RazoE]

it didn't plug and play for me, that's for sure...

I used a 90+ dimmer and my own 92 dimmer on my 89, and it didn't work at all...

 

[TripleC]

I am getting a dimmer today that i dodnt need. it is for a 1987 Supra if you want you can buy it . BBBUUUUTT like i said i am getting it in the mail today so i will let you know when it is in my hands. PM me if you still need it

 

[reydio]

Well, just got a pm back from Mr. Lange, and he says the later style dimmer is plug n' play.
So...yay me.

: )

Huh? I know it will plug in.......play? Hmmmm, are you sure? Send us pics with your detailed install.

 

[hvyman]

Did you ask about the wires?

 

[supraguy@aol]

Originally Posted by supraguy@aol
"Hey there-

I don't know if you've seen the thread in the general forum, but I had asked if the 89+ dimmer was plug & play with the 87-88 harness, and I was told that the pinout was slightly different, and that you might know what change was required.
So I was just wondering if you did indeed know about this. I burned out my dimmer when a contact shorted( and I have it temporarily bypassed), and I would be interested in updating to the newer style dimmer if it doesn't present a NASA-like challenge to use.

Thanks in advance for your time.

Diego"


Reply:

"The pin out is identical, it is plug and play, not sure who you were talking to, but they didn't know what they were talking about.

Jeff"

Take from this what you will, but I've never known Jeff to be wrong. ever.

 

[reydio]

Per Jeff on other forums:

Originally Posted by supraNa1990
the pre 89 dimmer switch is close but not exactly the same as the 89+.
just compare the two dimmer and you will see one and only one of the connector does not plug into the 89+ dimmer if you going from pre-89 to a 89+ switch.

i blew mine out and decided to change my 89+ dimmer for a pre89 and i had to pop out one wire and rearrange it so it can plug into the pre 89 dimmer switch.

if you want to pop the wire out, just get a set of mini screw driver set and use the flat head and press on the tabs in the plug for the dimmer and pop out the wire.

If you confuse - sorry i don't have any pics to show you but when you do it yourself from pre 89 to the 89+ dimmer swap you will understand what i just wrote.

Jeff Lange:
Like I said, it was changed in 1990 in the USA. It was changed in 1992 in Canada. It corresponded to the same year the airbag was added.

I didn't realize the wiring changed, but looking at the wiring diagram, you guys are correct.


Pin changes:

Without Airbag - With Airbag
1 - 2
3 - 1
4 - 3

..................................................................................

 

[GrimJack]

I know there is a difference between the Canadian and USA spec pinout... (at least according to the TSRM) perhaps those having problems went from one country to the other?

Edit: Ah, there we go. Thanks for the info, reydio.

 

[reydio]

yep, Jeff is correct if you are in Canada and have a Canadian Supra. But US specs changed and their pin out is different. So, it's not plug and play for the US spec.

 

[supraguy@aol]

Wow- thanks for the expanded explanation.
So- For a US 88 car, going to a US 89+ dimmer, What pin do i need to change?
I see that you have:
1
3
4
...but what does that exactly mean? I get rid of pin #2 and move the others up??
It's not clear to me.

 

[GrimJack]

Hmm... that didn't work for me. Popped a couple fuses, instead. Maybe I'm just tired and hooked something up wrong... I'll get some more fuses and see if I can figure it out on the weekend.