Nissan 240sx S13 Analog Instrument Panel: testing fuel gauge, tachometer, instrument cluster and more

Nissan 240sx S13



Analog (needle-type) gauges are mounted on instrument cluster (combination meter). Speed sensor is a permanent magnet AC generator mounted on the transmission. Oil pressure switch is located near oil filter.

TESTING

MAIN POWER SUPPLY

Remove instrument cluster. Turn ignition on. Check voltage between ground and specified terminal of instrument cluster connector.See Fig. 2. If battery voltage is not present, check for blown fuse, open fusible link, open in wiring harness, faulty ignition relay and/or faulty ignition switch.

MAIN POWER SUPPLY TEST TERMINALS

• With Tachometer 24
• Without Tachometer 4, 10 & 17

BRAKE FLUID LEVEL LIGHT

Remove cap and brake level switch from brake fluid reservoir. Clean any foreign material from terminal connector. Using an ohmmeter, check brake level switch continuity. With brake fluid switch float raised, continuity should not exist. With brake fluid switch float lowered, continuity should exist.

FUEL GAUGE

1. Remove instrument cluster, leaving connectors attached. Turn ignition on.
2. Disconnect fuel gauge unit. If fuel gauge does not move smoothly from EMPTY to FULL, check for 12 volts at instrument cluster terminal No. 14.
3. If 12 volts are present, jumper Blue/Red and Black wires of fuel gauge unit together. If fuel gauge does not move smoothly from FULL to EMPTY, replace fuel gauge.

FUEL GAUGE SENDING UNIT

Remove sending unit from fuel tank. Measure resistance between terminals "G" (+) and "E" (-) of sending unit connector. See Fig. 1 . If resistance values are not about equal to values specified in FUEL GAUGE SENDING UNIT RESISTANCE table, or if values do not change smoothly, replace fuel gauge sending unit.

Fig. 1: Fuel Gauge Sending Unit Connector Terminal ID

FUEL GAUGE SENDING UNIT RESISTANCE (OHMS)

• 240SX
  • Full: 4-6
  • Half: 28-34
  • Empty: 158-171

Fig. 2: Rear Views Of Combination Meters

OIL PRESSURE SWITCH

Check continuity between terminals of oil pressure switch and body ground. When engine is running, continuity should not exist. When engine is off, continuity should exist.

PARKING BRAKE LIGHT

Disconnect electrical connector from under parking brake handle cover. Using an ohmmeter, check continuity of circuit through connector terminals. With parking brake lever pulled up, continuity should exist. With parking brake lever down, continuity should not exist.

SPEED SENSOR

1. Remove speed sensor from transmission. See Fig. 3 . Turn speedometer pinion quickly and measure AC voltage across sensor terminals. If voltage does not toggle at about .5 volt AC, replace speed sensor.
2. Remove instrument connector. Measure AC voltage at connector terminals No. 32 and 30.
3. Turn ignition on. Spin speed sensor. If .5 volt AC is present, replace speedometer instrument. If .5 volt AC is not present, check continuity of related circuits and speed sensor. Repair as necessary.

CAUTION: Ensure pinion shaft is properly seated when installing speed sensor. Speed sensor thrusting key should fit into groove of pinion shaft.

Fig. 3: Testing Vehicle Speed Sensor

TACHOMETER

1. Remove instrument cluster. Disconnect electrical connector. Turn ignition on. Ensure 12 volts is present at connector terminal No. 33. If voltage is not present, repair ignition switch, fuse or related circuits.
2. Start engine. Check for voltage between connector terminals No. 39 and 30. If voltage is low at idle speed and higher at 2000 RPM, replace tachometer. If voltage is not present or does not change, check related circuits between connector and ECM or ground.

TEMPERATURE GAUGE

1. Remove instrument cluster, leaving connectors attached. Turn ignition on. Connect temperature sending unit to ground for less than 10 seconds.
2. If temperature gauge does not move smoothly to end of scale, check and repair wire between temperature sending unit and terminal No. 14 on back of instrument cluster connector. If wire is okay, replace gauge.

TEMPERATURE GAUGE SENDING UNIT

Check resistance between ground and temperature sending unit terminal. At 167°F (75°C), resistance should be 180-220 ohms. At 212°F (100°C), resistance should be 60-72 ohms.

NOTE: testing information for Quest is not available.

TIME CONTROL UNIT

1. If time control function for ignition key warning, seat belt warning or wiper delay operates, time control unit power supply and ground circuits are okay. If time control function for all of these components is inoperative, turn ignition off.
2. Time control unit is located behind left end of instrument panel. Check continuity between ground and terminal No. 15 of time control unit connector. See Fig. 4 . If there is no continuity, repair ground circuit.
3. If there is continuity, check voltage between time control unit connector terminal No. 15 and indicated terminal in TIME CONTROL UNIT POWER SUPPLY TEST table. If voltage is not as specified, repair appropriate circuit.

TIME CONTROL UNIT POWER SUPPLY TEST

Terminal No. and Ignition Switch Position Volts

• 2
  • OFF: 0 volts
  • ACC: Battery
  • ON: Battery
• 5
  • OFF: 0 volts
  • ACC: 0 volts
  • ON: Battery
• 9
  • OFF: Battery
  • ACC: Battery
  • ON: Battery

NOTE: Connectors on some time control units may have more terminals than shown in illustration.

Fig. 4: Time Control Unit Connector Terminal ID

WARNING BUZZER

NOTE: Testing information for Quest is not available.

WARNING LIGHT DIODES

Remove instrument cluster. Check continuity across diode in both directions (polarity). See Fig. 2 . Diode is functioning properly if continuity exists in only one direction.

HEADLIGHT AND WIPER SWITCH

Headlight switch and wiper switch are part of combination switch on steering column. See STEERING COLUMN SWITCHES article in the ACCESSORIES/SAFETY EQUIPMENT section.

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REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION

CAUTION: When removing instrument panel, DO NOT use excessive force to remove plastic parts from retainers or damage may occur. See Fig. 5 for exploded view of instrument panels.

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER

CAUTION: Always disconnect battery negative cable before removing instrument cluster.

Fig. 5: Exploded View Of Instrument Panel



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Nissan 240sx S13

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