Digital Speedometer Repair

Post by **Kinesthesia** » Sat Apr 12, 2003 10:48 am

My S13 coupe came with a Digital Speedo and HUD. It worked off an on at first but by the end of winter was off all the time. Well, I just pulled the cluster out of the car and then the digital speedo out of the cluster.

Has anyone ever repaired one of these ? I've heard talk of bad solder runs and some talk of bad power supplies... has anyone actually repaired one ?

I don't see any obvious bad runs or anything like that but I don't know that much about what I'm looking at.

Post by **FL240racer** » Sat Apr 12, 2003 10:48 am

My suggestion is to call around and find a junk yard with your year 240 (I"m assuming around 1993?) with an anlog and replace it.... the wiring harness is exactly that same as long as your year maches up.... plus it's like 400 dollars to fix the speedo, unless your comfortable testing circuits and doing the solderng yourself...-

Post by **Kinesthesia** » Sat Apr 12, 2003 10:48 am

Have you done this ? I read somewhere that you needed the ECU for the analog cluster.

Although I'm still interested in fixing my digital speedo...

Post by **FL240racer** » Sat Apr 12, 2003 10:48 am

yeah, I've done it myself... the only thing is, what year is your 240? I accidentally bought a cluster from a 91 (mine's a 93) and the harness doesn't work... if you look in the FSM the wiring on the back is different. Just make sure that if your 240 is a 92 or above, that you get one from a 92 or above, and it should be cool! BTW, if your 240 happens to be a 91 or below, I know where you could get a working cluster... cheap!!!

Post by **Kinesthesia** » Sat Apr 12, 2003 10:48 am

Thanks for clearing that up... I was just about to bid on a 1991 cluster on eBay that closes today.

But I'm still mostly interested in getting my VFD display working... if anyone has any advice...

Post by **sleepypuzzler** » Sat Apr 12, 2003 10:48 am

I also have a 89 240 sx coupe with hud. It is definitly the solder (if on hot days it works.) I have repaired mine. all you need is to resolder all the connection points on the circuit board. use a low heat solder gun an you should be fine. took about two hours all together.

sleepypuzzler

Post by **Kinesthesia** » Sat Apr 12, 2003 10:48 am

At the risk of sounding stoopid, could you be more specific ? I'm not going to put a soldering gun to my speedo, but I am going to pull it out and take it to an electronics shop and I'd like to be able to give them a place to start since it's probably not the kind of thing they are used to working on. Thanks.

Post by **Kinesthesia** » Sat Apr 12, 2003 10:48 am

I grabbed a '94 analog cluster off of eBay... but I still hope to get my digital fixed. I'm going to take it to an electronics shop but I'd like to have some guidance to give them.

Thanks in advance.

Post by **kilnred** » Sat Apr 12, 2003 10:48 am

I'm pulling mine out this weekend and sending it to these guys.

http://www.instrumentcluster.com/

I've done the resolder route and went from no speedo/HUD to working for 3-4 minutes after restart. They say 3-4 day turnaround, I'll post my results.

Post by **trpower7** » Sat Apr 12, 2003 10:48 am

I have a 90 digitial cluster if anyone wants it.......worked when the car was running......

Post by **Kinesthesia** » Sat Apr 12, 2003 10:48 am

I certainly do, if the price is right... email me...

Post by **trpower7** » Sat Apr 12, 2003 10:48 am

How about, $50 shipped priority mail? A working HUD cluster is a rare item, and it's a PITA to get it all removed.

Post by **Kinesthesia** » Sat Apr 12, 2003 10:48 am

I would say sure.

However, are you sure I won't have the harness issue listed above ? Even though I can't use your cluster (tach won't work) I should be able to transplant your speedo. Lastly, when was "when the car ran" ?

Paypal ? or... what ?

Post by **The Riot Hero** » Sat Apr 12, 2003 10:48 am

what abotu getting a 93 digital dash and HUD into an 89 fast back with an SR20DET?

Post by **kilnred** » Sat Apr 12, 2003 10:48 am

Wanted to note what I consider as excellent service from Southern Electronics (http://www.instrumentcluster.com). After finally getting around to pulling my dead speedo out, I shipped it off and figured the 240 would be parked for a couple weeks. Southern had it repaired, tested and back on my doorstep in 8 days. They called me when it shipped and a 1 year warranty to boot.

Post by **89240sx** » Sat Apr 12, 2003 10:48 am

This sounds like a common problem with the 240 , i've only had mine for a month or so and my speedo started acting crazy and now does not come on atall

btw it is an 89 240... s13

Mark

Post by **USDM_OneVia** » Sat Apr 12, 2003 10:48 am

kilnred wrote:Wanted to note what I consider as excellent service from Southern Electronics (http://www.instrumentcluster.com). After finally getting around to pulling my dead speedo out, I shipped it off and figured the 240 would be parked for a couple weeks. Southern had it repaired, tested and back on my doorstep in 8 days. They called me when it shipped and a 1 year warranty to boot.

This seems like a viable option to replacing my cluster. If you don't mind, how much did this cost you altogether?

Joe

Post by **Kinesthesia** » Sat Apr 12, 2003 10:48 am

They told me $195... I'm getting mine fixed as soon as I get my VLSD installed.

Post by **solarex** » Sat Apr 12, 2003 10:48 am

I'm sorry for waking up the dead...I have this same problem on my cluster. does anyone have detail for the DIY repairing of this faulty speedometer, odometer, trim, and HUD? I can solder pretty well, but i need to know what to do.

Post by **solarex** » Sat Apr 12, 2003 10:48 am

anyone?!!?!??!

Post by **stash420sx** » Sat Apr 12, 2003 10:48 am

yo, i have a 92 s13 with digital speedo and hud. The background lighting flickers on and off. Like for the RPM and stuff. But the speedo works. Anyway, i had mine out the other day and i found that wiggling one specific connecter made the lights come on and off. But I could not find any problems with the connection. The other night I found a web page that specializes in repairing these displays. They did not post a price for the fix, but said they will ship you the new working unit, then you ship them your core. Also , I feel a should warn againts buying one from a junk yard, that is if you can find one. Cause how do you know the junk yard one works?

Post by **solarex** » Sat Apr 12, 2003 10:48 am

stash420sx wrote: The other night I found a web page that specializes in repairing these displays. They did not post a price for the fix, but said they will ship you the new working unit, then you ship them your core.

do you have the URL of that site?

Post by **180fan** » Sat Apr 12, 2003 10:48 am

If you're gonna go to a junkyard to find an analog cluster, you'll need the instrument cluster harness for the analog. As stated, the analog and digital's use different instrument harnesses. Just a suggestion, if you are gonna go, just make sure you hold the cluster by the harness that you'll pull out along with the cluster. LOL. Some places won't notice it or if you're a bit more cautious, you can always hold the cluster by the clips on the cluster making it look like it's all part of the same wire. Just a few shady tips that might work. Or if you're going to be straight up about it, just tell the guy what's up and that you want that part of the harness.

Post by **NISTECH** » Sat Apr 12, 2003 10:48 am

the connector you mentioned wiggling to make it work: Look at the circuit board where the pins for that connector where the solder joints are on the opposite side of the circuit board. get some ggod light and check for what looks like a black ring in the solder around the pin. that is called a cold solder joint take a soilder iron(NOT GUN) and heat that joint up a bit to alow the solder to flow together. allow the joint to cool back down and reconnect it to the car to test it.

Post by **stash420sx** » Sat Apr 12, 2003 10:48 am

http://www.instrumentclusters.com/

I have no experience with this company or any other. I post this as an example.

Anyway, im gona check out those solders again nistech, thanks for the tip.

Post by **solarex** » Sat Apr 12, 2003 10:48 am

ditto!

thanks for the tips guys. i soldered numerous of electronic parts. i might be able to play around with this one. we'll see.

btw! my digital cluster does not light up, would you think the power pack might be dead?

Post by **cylynia** » Sat Apr 12, 2003 10:48 am

so...... solarex......... is you digital cluster working now after resoldering??...... i'm asking because mine digital speedometer is having the same symptoms as yours

Digital Speedometer Repair

Digital Speedometer Repair

Just replace it...

cluster...

DIY repairing

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