Gauge face woes

Post by **Yorb** » Fri Jan 10, 2003 2:43 pm

I spent the entirety of Thursday afternoon exploring the wonderful world of the 240's dashboard secrets. My god that is a ***** to get off. Anyway, I was installing some cheap white glow gauge faces, which look pretty cool except for two problems...1. Despite the fact that they are manufactured specifically for the early ('89-'94 I believe) 240SX, the speedometer doesn't match (0-115 instead of 0-110). Not much of a difference, but enough to make it read 10 MPH too fast at some speeds. I'm still trying to decide if it looks ghetto with one different gauge. I actually think it looks pretty good, but I'd rather have them all white.2. Although plenty bright enough to see at night, the new gauge faces are not as bright as they could be (I know this because they are VERY bright when you start the car, while the battery is kicked in). I blame this on me, actually. I tapped into some power lines I found going into the back of the gauge cluster. Possibly not 12V? Or is it just too much of a drain? If anybody knows the best thing to tap into, or how to go about running a wire to the alternator if need be (I know nothing about wiring in cars), please share and I will see about that next time I rip out the dash.And on that subject... My plan is to drive as is for a while and see if I get fed up with it. I do really like the effect of the white gauges though, so I'm debating on trying to find a full set.I got them off eBay (I know, I know), and can't seem to find ANYTHING on the web relating to the company. They're no-name, although they have impressive packaging. So I think my chances are slim-to-none that I'd be able to find anyone to complain to.So in conclusion, I don't want to hear any berating on my purchase decisions.

For reference: don't buy Velocity Racing's Redline Series "Reverse Luminescent Gauge Faces" because they might not match. =/Thanks for reading, and I'm still interested on power source ideas.

Post by **Anand** » Fri Jan 10, 2003 2:43 pm

If you have 10 mph diff.. don't install them.. but that's jus me.. and as for the powe cable just tap into the dimmer switch.. it should be fine..

I have the reverse indiglo ones off ebay for my car and they are perfect.... installed in just about half an hour... but they are perfect and never any problem as of yet! after 8 months now!

Post by **Yorb** » Fri Jan 10, 2003 2:43 pm

well actually, lost (btw thank you for closing my first thread, ***. hehe) the faq DOES NOT tell you how to get it off (i know, because i always read the faq several times before i post anything here). there is however, a thread that tells most of it, which i found after my post (i had to search for 'gauge' spelled wrong [gauge]).anyway. ;D of course i can do it faster NOW, but that was the first time.by the way, completely unrelated topic, but do you remember me from the spoiler rust hole patching discussion? check out the website in my sig, it has some pics after it was finished and repainted. =) i owe my gratitude to this board. thankee.black240 - first off, sweet car. and yeah those are the same ones i have, except mine go to the earlier 240's (mines a 92). and they do fit perfectly except for the speedometer, like i said. why would they do this? was there a version of the s13 that went to 115 or something? =(

Post by **Syntax360** » Fri Jan 10, 2003 2:43 pm

my gauges are the same way (0-115 instead of 110) and my friend paced me reading off mph every 10mph or so, and our gauges were just about right on....

Post by **Yorb** » Fri Jan 10, 2003 2:43 pm

wait wait, what? you bought some gauge faces that went to 115 instead of 110? and what was that about pacing side by side? are you saying that the 115 one is correct?

Post by **scruf1986** » Fri Jan 10, 2003 2:43 pm

Sorry if I am stealing this thread. I don't mean to. But I was gonna post the question:Where can I find white face gauges that have the same incraments as my 240. I can tell you if I am going 35,36,or 37 mph. I like that. Thx

Post by **Yorb** » Fri Jan 10, 2003 2:43 pm

here's the link to the thread that helped me remove my s13 drivers side dash console to get to the gauge cluster. if you're looking for more info, search for "gauge" and "remove". there are some more threads on the subject.Quote »Get what off? Once you have the cluster out, the thing practically falls apart in your hands.[/quote]get the lower panel off, the steering column dropped, and the instrument panel and stuff off. THEN you can get the gauge cluster out.

Post by **Yorb** » Fri Jan 10, 2003 2:43 pm

terminology conflict could be the culprit. ;D however... what i was referring to as the instrument panel has NO gauges on it. it has cruise control, dimmer switch, hazards, popup lights, etc. what i referred to as the gauge cluster are the 4 gauges behind the clear plastic shield. THOSE are whats such a pain to get out, because you have to remove the aforementioned instrument cluster (buttons etc), and to do that you have to drop the steering wheel, and to do that you have to remove the lower plate and the steering column casing.aaaaaaanyway. it doesnt really matter hehe.

Post by **ShadowKnight006** » Fri Jan 10, 2003 2:43 pm

Syntax360 wrote:my gauges are the same way (0-115 instead of 110) and my friend paced me reading off mph every 10mph or so, and our gauges were just about right on....

Not trying to be a thread jacker, just more related questions. So has anyone actually determined whether the replacements are right or not? I am reading Velocity's ad on e-bay right now and it says "Unlike cheeper gauges made in China these will NOT be 10 miles per hour off, they are EXACT guaranteed! ", of course they did spell cheaper wrong but hey....nobody is perfect. Also, is there any difference between 89-90 replacement faces and 91-94 ones? Thanks!

-Levi

Post by **swtslvrmonkey** » Fri Jan 10, 2003 2:43 pm

hey Yorbi, name's Izzy, hey i wanted to ask you where u got those white glow gauges for ur 240, ive been lookin for them everywhere (obviously not, cuz u found some), and i guess i havent had any luck finding any. let me know bro, thanks!

Post by **chickentendah** » Fri Jan 10, 2003 2:43 pm

This is kinda late, but you could have gone here:

http://sr20.hybrids.jp/install....html

I've taken out my cluster several times, and i think i can now do it in 10 minutes.

Post by **240sxgirl** » Fri Jan 10, 2003 2:43 pm

I got a set of gauge faces that are the same specs as stock but are white with blue numbers. They are not overlays but the complete replacement face. They cost 90 new but I got them wit my car. I cant think of the company that makes them at the moment but i can check later on. They are very high grade gauge faces, you can have them make them in any color combos you want and can have custom words put on them.

Post by **swtslvrmonkey** » Fri Jan 10, 2003 2:43 pm

let me know the site when you get the chance, im interested. thanks 240sxgirl

Post by **240sxgirl** » Fri Jan 10, 2003 2:43 pm

The site is http://www.mmrusa.com, mantaray motorsports. Here is a link: http://www.mmrusa.com/gauges.htm

They are a thicker plastic gauge than the original. Definitely nice gauges and light up nice. I just installed mine a few months ago.

Post by **whiterps13** » Fri Jan 10, 2003 2:43 pm

i have the same gauges, and the 89-90 go to 115 and the 91-94 go to 110. make sure you get em for the right year....

Post by **matt4pl** » Fri Jan 10, 2003 2:43 pm

i'm not sure what brand my gauges are but as far as tapping power, i tapped into the light bulb socket and the plug's ground wire hole. basically, i just stuck one lead into the socket front and the other under the connecting leads between the bulb and the circuit board

Gauge face woes

Gauge face woes

Any Difference?

Nissan Forums

Infiniti Forums

Datsun Forums

Technical Forums

Classifieds / Marketplace

Nissan Motorsports

General Forums