Gauge cluster dead, but has power?

92nsx

92nsx

Supramania Contributor
Sep 30, 2005
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Clearwater, MN
Well Im not sure if the entire gauge cluster I bought is "bad" or something else is going on. I replaced the cluster because the previous owner had rev. glow faces on them and I think they looked like ass. Now none of the gauges are working/reading. The only thing that works is the back lighting.

Also one other thing, this has also killed my check engine. (no way to check for codes, ect. on my fresh engine) I have swaped bulbs with the "door open" one and still nothing so the bulb is good. Door open light dose work and comes on when it should.

Info on car: 89 turbo, 5-speed, tems,

Cluster I bought I am guessing from a 90+ because it has a air bag light.

What I have done already: The fuse is good but still replaced it. There is 12vDC on the bottom side of the fuse and the top side has continuity to the yellow wire on the blue plug on the cluster. The m1 body plug is together and tight. Also there is 12 vDC switch to the yellow wire.

What else should I check? Source another cluster
 
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F

figgie

Supramania Contributor
Mar 30, 2005
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92nsx;1085301 said:
Well Im not sure if the entire gauge cluster I bought is "bad" or something else is going on. I replaced the cluster because the previous owner had rev. glow faces on them and I think they looked like ass. Now none of the gauges are working/reading. The only thing that works is the back lighting.

Also one other thing, this has also killed my check engine. (no way to check for codes, ect. on my fresh engine) I have swaped bulbs with the "door open" one and still nothing so the bulb is good. Door open light dose work and comes on when it should.

Info on car: 89 turbo, 5-speed, tems,

Cluster I bought I am guessing from a 90+ because it has a air bag light.

What I have done already: The fuse is good but still replaced it. There is 12vDC on the bottom side of the fuse and the top side has continuity to the yellow wire on the blue plug on the cluster. The m1 body plug is together and tight. Also there is 12 vDC switch to the yellow wire.

What else should I check? Source another cluster
Click to expand...


I am trying to find out where the ground is at. I am thinking it is at the steering column tied to the crash bar.
 
jetjock

jetjock

creepy-ass cracka
Jul 11, 2005
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Redacted per Title 18 USC Section 798
Now that I read the post in it's entirety I don't believe the PCFs are the same on those clusters. Look for a big double digit number on the back. Something Like "DD". If they're not the same you'll need to swap them.
 
92nsx

92nsx

Supramania Contributor
Sep 30, 2005
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Clearwater, MN
Dose any one have a pic of the PCF or a pic of the back of the gauge cluster so I can compare the two? I just got done looking throu my cluster mk3 pics and reference pics. but do not have any of the back of the gauges. :(

I thought I read some where they were all interchangeable form 87-92. Maybe only the plugs are the same.

Thank you figgie, jetjock, & Kckazdude for the fast responses.
 
Facime

Facime

Leather work expert
Jun 1, 2006
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Corvallis OR
Dont you still have the cluster with the glow gauges on it to compare to the one you bought? Also, why not just remove the gauge faces from the old cluster, they are usually just overlays and ther stock ones should be there underneath.
 
92nsx

92nsx

Supramania Contributor
Sep 30, 2005
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Clearwater, MN
Nope I have since sold it to another member that liked the glow gauges. This is a new to this car oem cluster.

Razoe - ^^^

Jetjock - The letter on the back of my cluster is "DD" That is located right aboue the speed input, (green Knob thing with greese on it) Is this the correct Letters to work in an 89?

Where dose the ground connect to the cluster? the D spot ground looks fine under the fuses.
 
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jetjock

jetjock

creepy-ass cracka
Jul 11, 2005
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Redacted per Title 18 USC Section 798
There are actually two printed circuits on the cluster. For 87 and 88 model years they should be D on the larger one and A for the smaller. I *think* a DD will work in a 89 but I can't remember. That's kinda right when they made changes.

You say none of the gages work? Different gages use different ground points but because the grounds are redundant I doubt that's your problem. They're all fed from the gage fuse though so that's where I'd be looking. You could always measure the grounds. Just ohm from them to the chassis with the cluster plugged in.
 
92nsx

92nsx

Supramania Contributor
Sep 30, 2005
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Clearwater, MN
Ok I located the ground point for entire cluster (white w/ black stripe on A #8) on back of cluster then check voltage to yellow wire and yep there is power (12vDC) when I turn on the switch. Also check the screw that has a ground for 12V gauge swap mod. and there is ground there also.
Now what??????? Is there any other power points that I need to check? Gauges are still dead!

Also there is BB printed on the PCF on the bottom behind the tach. area.
 
jetjock

jetjock

creepy-ass cracka
Jul 11, 2005
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Redacted per Title 18 USC Section 798
8 A is only ground for the tach, volt meter if you have one, and turbo gage if you don't. That said you appear to have gage power and ground, You can visually trace (or ohm) things out to see where the problem is. Just pick one gage and focus on it. Trace pin 8 A to it and then pin 8 C. (12 volts).
 
92nsx

92nsx

Supramania Contributor
Sep 30, 2005
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Clearwater, MN
Nope no volt meter Boost meter still installed) I just know where to ground the 12 volt gauge in the swap.

FYI: blinkers on cluster are working, along with ABS, and door open.

Well I am going to trouble shoot some more tonight, but if i dont get it, I think I am going to buy a new/differnt cluster.

So any one reading this and you have a 89 turbo, 5-speed, tems, gauge cluster for sale send me a pm;)
 
Kckazdude

Kckazdude

Active Member
Mar 16, 2007
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With all the gauges being inop and power coming to the guage I am going to condemn the PCF itself. Whether it is the wrong one or a broken I cant say.
 
92nsx

92nsx

Supramania Contributor
Sep 30, 2005
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Clearwater, MN
Ok i made some progress, I hooked a wire to a10 then to a switch 12v source, and now the tack and oil pressure work. Sweet around 38 psi at cold idle ( just below the 40 mark) I am guessing that the gauge cluster PCF is differnt b/c there isnt even a oem wire in that spot of the plug. Also when I power up A10 the abs light goes out and the check engine comes on along with the seat belt light.

I am using this diagram
http://www.cygnusx1.net/Supra/Library/TSRM/MK3/manual.aspx?S=BE&P=38
Seat belt light stays on for like 5 sec. (all good) The tach it is reading at 500. i think i need to turn it up a little.:) The check engine, and low fuel light stays on. :( gauge is reading 5/8 full and was around that when I removed the engine.
 
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92nsx

92nsx

Supramania Contributor
Sep 30, 2005
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Clearwater, MN
UPDATE:: I do have a new/different cluster I picked up from emiliorescigno out of a 89 turbo :). And yes the PCF on the back of a 90 is different than a 89. A few differences I noticed in the wiring is like the fuel light and ABS light wiring is swapped around. Fuse power is in a different location, along with several others. About the only wires that are in the correct spot are the oil pressure, and tach. (boost sensor on MIL is the same on ALL MKIII models)

I will get this installed tonight ;) Thank you all that help out during this.
 
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