Ok, Let me start by saying that this is my first post, so please go easy on me if I unintentionally violate some code-of-conduct rule that you guys have here.
Now that that's out of the way, let me delve into the problem that I need help with.
Over the weekend, I decided to finally replace the aging stock stereo system in my 1990 Base S13 hatch. This would have been all fine and dandy, except for the fact that now my exterior running lights, and my gauge cluster back lighting doesn't work. I've read various other posts similar to this saying to remove a small white box that seems to act as a relay (from near the fuse box by the clutch pedal. Called a Timing Control Unit, to the best of my knowledge.) Inside this cursed white box, sits a small circuit-board which is prone to having connections burn out and need soldering once a stereo system is replaced, which will then fix the lights problem. Well, I pulled it and it was perfectly intact, so it isn't that.
Another suggestion I found was to check the fuses (A natural first step in troubleshooting, to be sure.) However, not a single fuse was burned out. Eventually, we even tried putting the stock stereo back in to see if it was a problem with the new stereo and/or the wiring harness; and well, by the fact that I'm posting this, you can probably guess that that didn't work either. Nowhere else I've looked has a suggestion other than "Buy a harness to avoid tapping the factory wiring", "Fix the little white thing", or "check the fuses", all of which I have done, and my running lights still don't work.
I would greatly appreciate any input that anyone could offer, because if the problem isn't solved soon, I will need to bite the bullet and take the thing to car toys to drop an egregious sum of money to have them troubleshoot for me, as my 240 is my daily driver and I need it to get back and forth to college.
Thanks in advance,
Bossman1138
Electrical Help???
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centralcoaster33
- Posts: 2634
- Joined: Tue Apr 05, 2005 10:41 am
- Car: 1997 Nissan 240SX #5
- Location: Central Coast, CA
Re: Electrical Help???
Welcome to NICO Club!
I don't completely follow your description of the issue. A 1990 240sx does not have any running lights. There is a primary and secondary accessory power loop (ACC) for various things in the car. I think the headlights are on the primary ACC1 loop and maybe the dash lights. Interior stuff like the stereo and cigarette lighter socket are often on the secondary ACC2 loop. You can check your fuses in both boxes and your relays. To check a relay, maybe swap it for a similar relay in your box (something that you could maybe do without temporarily). If you have some sort of aftermarket car alarm in there, that could be causing problems. I mention it because it comes up so many times. After that, I think you need to get the FSM. Download the chapters to your device (sorry, this one appears to be in many pieces), use the EL chapter to diagnose. http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/240sx/1990/
I don't completely follow your description of the issue. A 1990 240sx does not have any running lights. There is a primary and secondary accessory power loop (ACC) for various things in the car. I think the headlights are on the primary ACC1 loop and maybe the dash lights. Interior stuff like the stereo and cigarette lighter socket are often on the secondary ACC2 loop. You can check your fuses in both boxes and your relays. To check a relay, maybe swap it for a similar relay in your box (something that you could maybe do without temporarily). If you have some sort of aftermarket car alarm in there, that could be causing problems. I mention it because it comes up so many times. After that, I think you need to get the FSM. Download the chapters to your device (sorry, this one appears to be in many pieces), use the EL chapter to diagnose. http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/240sx/1990/
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Bossman1138
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Mon Oct 09, 2017 6:30 am
- Car: 1990 240sx
Re: Electrical Help???
Hi.
Sorry for any lack of clarity in my original post, when I said running lights, I meant the 4 lights on the side, and the 2 tail lights that come on when you turn the headlights on. (Essentially the only exterior lights I have that work are the headlights, high beams, turn signals and brake lights, so my car is undriveable at night unless I want a ticket). The car's previous owner, who happens to be my girlfriends father, put in an aftermarket security system (Viper 3000 or something like that) back in the 90's after it was broken into. However, that never caused any problems with the lights until we put in the aftermarket stereo. We just ordered the Chilton manual for it the other day,so hopefully we will be able to trace some wiring and see what is going on.
Sorry for any lack of clarity in my original post, when I said running lights, I meant the 4 lights on the side, and the 2 tail lights that come on when you turn the headlights on. (Essentially the only exterior lights I have that work are the headlights, high beams, turn signals and brake lights, so my car is undriveable at night unless I want a ticket). The car's previous owner, who happens to be my girlfriends father, put in an aftermarket security system (Viper 3000 or something like that) back in the 90's after it was broken into. However, that never caused any problems with the lights until we put in the aftermarket stereo. We just ordered the Chilton manual for it the other day,so hopefully we will be able to trace some wiring and see what is going on.
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centralcoaster33
- Posts: 2634
- Joined: Tue Apr 05, 2005 10:41 am
- Car: 1997 Nissan 240SX #5
- Location: Central Coast, CA
Re: Electrical Help???
Hmm, look here at page 31...
http://www.nicoclub.com/service-manual? ... general/EL
BTW - the manual makes reference to daytime running lights... you are correct, I am wrong!
There is a wiring diagram. You have a relay, a control unit, a ground, parking brake switch, fusable link and other fuses... I'd check all the relays, fuses and link for toasted connections or parts. Oh, and you're parking brake switch is in the center area on the e-brake near where you'd be working on your stereo. Maybe that connection got unplugged, so check there also.
If the diagram and looking around doesn't work, read on further in that chapter and see what it says about diagnoses and repair. Good luck and let us know if you get it fixed and what it was please.
http://www.nicoclub.com/service-manual? ... general/EL
BTW - the manual makes reference to daytime running lights... you are correct, I am wrong!
There is a wiring diagram. You have a relay, a control unit, a ground, parking brake switch, fusable link and other fuses... I'd check all the relays, fuses and link for toasted connections or parts. Oh, and you're parking brake switch is in the center area on the e-brake near where you'd be working on your stereo. Maybe that connection got unplugged, so check there also.
If the diagram and looking around doesn't work, read on further in that chapter and see what it says about diagnoses and repair. Good luck and let us know if you get it fixed and what it was please.