Everything works, guages, odometer, trip, clock (that worked once I hooked up the stereo...from a previous post). And the clock lights up when the headlights aren't on, but once u turn the switch to turn them on, the clock lights dies out and no lights come on.

 

When you said "you unhooked the stereo and it still doesn't work" did you just unplug it from the harness, or did you remove every single stereo wire connected to factory wires?

I'm thinking now that it's something to do with how you hooked up the illum. wire.

If that's not it either, then I dunno.

 

Ok, if you read my old posts.....the old harness was cut off....the dash lights worked before I messed with the stereo...no wires were connected to anything from the stereo.....no hookups. When I hooked up my stereo, it seemed like it didnt' work anymore (dash lights)....but i undid my stereo again and they still didn't work (i unconnected everything to how it was before). I have no illumination wire hookup for the stereo (one setting, on or off), so the illumination wire from the car is just taped off. Does this help explain? I need to fix this soon, can't be driving around not knowing how fast i am goin...well i can but the cops don't like that . Acutally i do good, you just listen to the engine and know ur gearing....and i'm fine.

 

Check to see if the int. lighting goes through a relay. If they do jumper the relay from the 12v constant to the int. lighting. If they come on then the relay is bad. If it only gets power from the switch thats located near the steering wheel that turns your head lights on do the same above. Find out which wire controls your int. lighting and jumper it from a 12v control and if they come on then the switch is bad. Check to see if there is a relay first. Because if you replace the switch without checking for a relay first you might replace it for nothing. But if not then somewhere on the harness your wire is grounded out. Best thing would be to start looking in the area of the radio. Also to double check before you start getting real far into tearing stuff apart, double check the fuses. Pull them all out. Im sure you allready have but just double check. Replace that fuse with a known good one and all that good stuff.Good luck.

 

Did you eyeball the fuses, or did you use an actual fuse tester? Something doesn't make sense with how things went.

 

Eyeballed....maybe i'll jsut replace every single fuse and see if that works

 

have the same exact problem with my 89 240sx fastback. fuses are all fine, double checked about 3 times.illumintaion wire is taped off cause there is no connection for it.its grounded to the frame.dash lights just wont work.

 

Wouldn't that be the problem?...the fact that the + is grounded.

 

no offense or anything, but if your having that much trouble i think you might want to consider taking it to a store and have them do it and stress out over it =P

 

+ grounded? i meant the ground wire is grounded to the frame.not the illumination wire.

 

well it wouldve been no problem with the harness but the last owner of the car had been cheap and cut the factory harness and just tapped the plaeyers wires in.as for bringing it to a shop........might be a good idea but id still like to try and figure this one out on my own, ill let you guys know what happens

 

I had the same problem too, but it was the fuses. I replaced them all and it worked. But the only thing i cant get rid off is that my rear end amber lights are always on. So go figure.

 

since we're talking about wiring, I thought I'd be random and share my exploits earlier tonight (and going back right now to do more):

 

the first pix is clean! especially with that pirate pix on ur seat =0P

 

LOL that looks like F.U.N Raine. While you're in there figure out my problem, lol. I'll just fix it when i re-guage the dash.