Problems When Switching To Other Combination Meter

[Saborion]

Ok, so I got a 300km/h combination meter for my R32 GTR. Today I decided to make the switch. Having little-to-no mechanical experience it would be fun. So I followed the instructions in the service manual after having read through the sections of importance a few times. Everything went well, and after a while I had gotten the combination meter out. I started pulling the cables when I noticed that something was amiss. The backside of the combination meter was not the same as the one I had received. I know that there is a difference between the R32 GTR's made before 91/8 and the ones made after 91/8, so I guess this was it.

I had pointed out to the seller that there are two different kinds of combination meters depending on when the car was manufactured. He was unaware of this but we agreed that we would find out when I tried to install it. Anyway, time to put everything back together and hope that the car gods don't punish me for whatever reason they could come up with. Said and done, everything was back in place. Attach the cables to the battery. No explosion yet. Insert key, turn it around step by step. And... right about now something happens. I'm not sure if it happened when I got to ignition or when I tried to start the car, but I *thought* that I heard a small, weird, "poff", could have been imagination though. The car went dead. Nothing. Not good. Luckily it started up after we changed to another, fresh, battery. Less lucky is the fact that not everything is working as it should.

Now, I suspect that the battery was close to dead. I have had the car in a garage a bit far away for a couple of months this winter, and when I finally got there to fix some stuff and attach the very nice battery charger that I had bought, the battery was dead. 24 hours later it was still not fully charged according to the charger. Nothing could be done about that though since I had to drive the car back home. So now I'm curious.

1: Could a battery with low charge combined with "something else" cause something like this to happen, whatever this now is, when trying to start the car?

2: More than one thing aren't working atm. The Greddy Profec B can't be turned on, the windows aren't working. I'm sure there are other things as well but I didn't care to find out at that point.

3: The Front Torque gauge goes all the way to the top, and beyond. The rpm, oil pressure and possible water temp aren't working either. And I believe that the speedo is ever so slightly non-steady. I can't comment on the fuel gauge since I didn't drive that far. Could this be related to what happened earlier and the same kind of errors as in point 2? Or are the combination meters really sensitive, both mechanically and electronically, meaning I've likely broken mine? I can't see how that is true, at least not the electronically bit given that there aren't any circuits on the back. I guess static electricity can travel through the "lines" though.

4: Can the electronical problems (boost controller, windows etc) be because of a (few) blown fuses and/or relays?

5: Ideas/theories on what might've happened and how to fix it?

Thanks in advance.

/Sabo

[Master]

A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing...I hope for your sake u have not done much damage. Im sure someone out here will be able to point you in the right direction, however the fuse box ain't a bad place to start looking. All the best.

[Saborion]

A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing...I hope for your sake u have not done much damage. Im sure someone out here will be able to point you in the right direction, however the fuse box ain't a bad place to start looking. All the best.

Yah, I was (and am) fully aware that something may break when doing things myself, but that's a risk I'm willing to take to learn more about cars. Besides, it's a small price to pay for the feeling you get knowing that you've done it yourself. At least the times it works.

[Saborion]

Ok. One fuse was broken. It's called "Meter" according to the service manual which I assume means it's the one for the Combination Meter. I inserted a new one, started up the car and the fuse broke. Guess that means it's likely to be something wrong with meter huh. Does anyone have any suggestions on what to look for? It's not likely that it's any of the other stuff around there, the radio buttons or warning lights etc, right?

This should not affect the windows or boost controller tough, should it?

I also checked the fuses in the engine compartment. The only one broken was the "Rad fan". Short for radiator fan; the one in front of the engine, at the radiator? It appeared to be working properly. I'd like to recall that there is a fuse in the passenger compartment named "rad fan" as well?

One thing that got me curious. According to the top of the fuse box in the engine compartment I seem to lack an Inhibit relay as well as an A/T Ind one? And the 75A Main fuse is not around either. Standard?

Edited April 16, 2006 by Saborion