1989 240sx xe Order to Troubleshoot dash and HUD problems

[joanne]

1989 240sx xe Built in April 1989. Lives in Toronto Canada since being rescued. About 240kms.

Hey Guys,What a great forum. I have been lurking and learning for the past little while since getting my 240. I posted originally in the general forum but one of the fellas suggested trying here where y'all are the wizzards of the 240sx.

With some concentrated searching, I found the answers to my problem but what I need now is some help in determining the work order for the steps so that I don't waste time, or money through my own sloppy work.

Here's the problem on the digital display:No dash lightsNo HUD No speedometerNo tripmeterGas gauge registers (analog?)Tach works (analog??)Key won't work in the driver side door (but that might be a horse of a totally different colour!!)

There was recently a radio in the car (gone now - they removed) and there were all sorts of racing lights and doo-dads that the previous owner installed , but I rescued this beauty from my nephew and I have no idea what was done to the wiring harness through installing all this stuff over the years.

I need to check all the fuses and the timing control unil and the cluster and the capacitor in the cluster as well as all the wiring that might have been injured in the various installations.

So I might be dealing with a few problems including a broken solder join and the help I need is in knowing what logical order I should approach the work.

Thanks guys. Joanne in Torontohttp://www.madhousewives.com1989 240sx1987 Pulsar 1.61967 Mustang1985 Honda Rebel motorcycle

[amolao]

In order to save yourself time and going crazy, what you need to do is to:

1) Check all fuses2)Get FSM wiring diagram3)Identify all pertinent wire harnesses and connectors4)Troubleshoot/repair questionable wire issues (i.e. burnt wires,etc..)5)Then troubleshoot the HUD cluster, there is a good chance the speedo unit is bad.

If there has been prior rewiring in the car, be ready for "possibly" bad timing unit, bad diodes in the back of HUD cluster,bad fuses,etc...Search (I hate to use this word...) the FAQ for more specific help if needed on any of these areas.