Dead ECU? The Gauge Cluster not working nor lit except Hi-Beam & Head Light

[Soravia]

Hi, My S-13 '91 manual (Build date) just got its engine, transmission, harness & ECU swapped into another '91 manual. I finally got the engine started but none of the electronics except starter, head-light & Hi-Beam (and its icon on cluster) are working. No CD, (I took that off later) no signal, no fan/ac.The wiring I have yet to complete on my car are-Wind-shield water pump-Emission unit next to exhaust (I took it off)-A/C compressor and tube next to battery- The little long piece bolted next to the ignition coil on that model.-One white and one black piece of plug near the fuse box on the driver side (There is no place to plug them. Mine is base model on both cars, is that why?)

Is my ECU the cause because both clusters I have are acting the same. Only the Hi-Beam comes up when I use the Hi-Beam. When I last saw that ECU, it was working even after I crashed the car, playing the CD and all. If I accidently swapped in a SR20DE or S-14 ECU, would it be the cause?Should I try plugging in an ECU from an Automatic '91 to see if it's the ECU before I go out and buy one for $50. My car engine runs and fuel pump works but I want to fix the cluster before I go further.

Thanks
Modified by Soravia at 10:03 PM 3/16/2007

[rotorimp]

The gage cluster gets signals from the ECU but the backlight power comes from the fuse block--Have you checked your fuses?

[Soravia]

Which fuse block should I start with? the ones under the steering seem fine when I checked with flashlight. All the fuses are from the new body. Should I replace all of engine compartment fuses with the fuses from the old body?

[rotorimp]

I would look at a schematic--find the power at you cluster and follow it down to the power distibution block by the battery.

[Soravia]

I forgot to mention one thing, the digital clock backlight used to be lit with no digits on it. But later on I haven't seen it even in the dark. I'll be sure to check the fuese and switch around tomorrow.

[paulie240sxr]

it probrbly your 75amp fuse under the hood i had the same problem its your alt. fuse in the fuse pannel on your passenger side .. its probrably blown dont buy a new one fron nissan though 18.00 plus taxes but try that

[Soravia]

Thanks! It was the 75AMP fuse next to battery. It looked OK from outside but wasn't. I replaced with the fuse from old car and it kicked in instantly and now my gages cluster is all lit up!

[HSVDrifting]

So you're saying that if one was having this problem, then it would be the alternator that caused it?...as in I'm gonna have to replace the alternator?

[Tech12]

I would say if this problem was reoccurring I would look into the alternator wiring, then possible replacement of alternator. Usually fuses go when there is TOO much voltage, or a short.

[Soravia]

Or I could have wired wrong (hooking up the starter) when I did the engine swap. It wasn't turning the engine until I figured out that I plugged one wrong. Some of my plugs are gone from the head on accident so it's hard to figure out.

BTW What is that small 3" long piece that is right next to ignition coil on a '91 model?