RearLight Problem?(1989 240sxXE) And other questions..

[Leash]

Okay, well last Tuesday(yesterday) my boyfriend purchase a s13 240sx XE. We couldn't really tell if the tail lights worked during the day, we checked everything else except for those. I bought some new bulbs and replaced the old ones, but the tail lights just wont work.

Has anyone else had this problem? Is there a way to fix it? Like some trick to fixing the wire or something?

Also, his Gauge Cluster won't light up when he turns on the light also. The digital speedmeter and projecter lights up, but you can't see temp., fuel, ect..

please help! (can't afford to take to the shop, since we spent our pay checks on the car >_< )
Modified by Leash at 9:57 PM 5/4/2005

[benemorius]

Dare I ask whether you checked the fuses?

[Leash]

Yes, I even replaced those too

[Leash]

Anyone have any ideas??

[Chingon]

both fuse boxes? If you only checked the engine compartment, there's another box right by your left foot on the drivers side.

Also, the rear lights... is this when you turn the lights on at night, or the brake lights? What about the reverse (white) light? If it's only the brake light, there's a switch bolted in front of the brake pedal that activates it, and may need adjustment/replacement.

[Leash]

Yes, I check both fuse boxs.

The brake lights work, the signal lights works, and the reverse lights work. Its just the tail lights won't turn on. Like at night, you'd be driving behind his car and you can't really tell if he's unfront of you until he brakes or until you get up close.

Same inside the car. The gauge cluster won't light up, but the digital speedmeter turns on. Its an automatic saddly at the moment, but even that won't light up.

[amolao]

I hate to tell you this, but there is a good chance you have problems with your cluster, the "illumination loop" is all connected together in the same path. YOu get a short in your cluster (possible bad diode...) and it just gets the light system on the car all confused. Check my past postings I have a DIY tutorial of how I fix mine. But yes like the others said check fuses first.....If is your cluster...you have two options: buy a cheap used on the for sale forum or ebay or fix the one in the car....

[Leash]

Okay, we found out the problem. There was a bad wire inside the wheel, after we replaced that everything including the tail lights and gauge cluster started working again.