Help! Gauge lights flickering!

[QWKSLVR]

Hi all, I need help. I recently took my gauge cluster out to install the SOS CF bezel. All went well and everything worked perfect once I reinstalled the gauges- for about 2 days. Last night as I was driving, the cluster light started flickering along w/ the amber lighting around the two climate control knobs- I did not realize that lighting for the cluster & the climate control were dependent on one another The first thing that came to mind was that the left-side wire harness behind the plastic garnish that goes over the cluster, which operates the headlight up/down and the gauge light dimmer buttons was not properly seated. But the odd thing is that the lights would go out completely when I came to a complete stop, but would start flickering again when the car was moving. If it was a loose connection, I would think that the opposite would happen, i.e. lights would come on when both car & connection was stagnant & would go out w/ all the bumpiness shaking the connector loose. Also, what doesn't make sense is that the problem seems to have temporarily fixed itself overnight! Before I go thru the hassle of removing the cluster again, does anyone have thoughts? Could it be a loose fuse? If so, which one is it? BTW, no other lights were affected, headlights were fine. Thanks guys!

 

[XRacerX]

It's God being mad at you for putting carbon fiber in your NSX.

 

[Nihilation]

Man, I'm having the same problem. Lights flicker, turn off sometimes. Also my headlights don't like to turn down after turning off in addition to the TCS button not working all the time...ugh.

 

[evof575gtc]

Thats what happens when you put parts from Science of Speed on your car. things go wrong.

 

[Nihilation]

Thats what happens when you put parts from Science of Speed on your car. things go wrong.

./stab

 

[MJK]

You probably just didn't get the green(?) connectors on the bottom side of the intrument panel all the way 'clicked' in. Check that, and I bet you will be OK.

 

[QWKSLVR]

You probably just didn't get the green(?) connectors on the bottom side of the intrument panel all the way 'clicked' in. Check that, and I bet you will be OK.

Thanks, you are correct, I did just that and have not had a problem since.

 

[SonOfLiberty]

Hey guys! I've been having the same problem, except my gauge lights rarely flicker. They have been usually pitch black, but sometimes come on and flicker for a short time. It started when I took the NSX to the dealership to have the headlights repaired, which were both stuck in the up position. They fixed this (after a couple of tries), but along the way messed up the wiring with the gauges. I don't really have time to take it down there, as I need to have this fixed by this weekend for date night.

Is it possible for a mechanically disinclined rube like myself to do this? MJK mentioned the green wire being clicked in all the way. Where can I find this to see if mine is loose or not?

Any help is appreciated! Thanks!

 

[BTL3.0]

Take the cluster off. Check for loose fitting bulbs. Check cluster haress, make sure they are snug.

 

[pgilliam1]

Is it possible for a mechanically disinclined rube like myself to do this?

Any help is appreciated! Thanks!

You tell us. Do you have the confidence that you could remove the instrument cluster and check the wiring connections? You can always create more problems than you fix if you don't know what you're doing and aren't mechanically/electrically inclined to figure it out. Be careful and take your time. You should be able to tell when you're in over your head.
Good Luck!

 

[shawn110975]

when taking the cluster out, after all the bolts and screws are removed

and the pigtails are disconnected your gonna smack your self tring to figure out how to get the cluster out from dash

turn the face of the cluster down twords the top of the steering column
then slide it to the right ( passengerside ) it will be simple.

now the back of the cluster has a square that the coils for the RPMs you need to push the top of the dash up a little bit so this will clear the dash. dont worry the dash will not break its pretty forgiving.

but like others have said if you dont know what your doing, you may cause more problems than its worth.

goodluck

PM me if you need help

 

[LJSB]

SONOFLIBERTY,

This will show the where the two connectors that MJK refers to are.
The two green connectors that plug in and power the meter assembly (gauge cluster) need to be pushed in all the way. They must be pushed in far enough so that they snap and lock into place. It is not that uncommon that when re-installing the cluster these two plugs seem to be inserted all the way when they are not. This will cause the conditions, the flickering and intermittent power that is being described.

There is no need to remove the gauge assembly to make sure they are seated properly.

Please refer to the attached file from the NSX service manual.

Read the directions and take special note of page 23-129 , step number 7.

There you see reference to two 30-P connectors, one on each side of the lower assembly. They are green in color and are inserted up-wards into the gauge assembly.

If you need to remove them you will see that on each there is a small green tab that when depressed unlocks the connector and using a flat blade screw driver you can separate it from the assembly if needed.

I feel you will not need to do this and will only have to press them up-wards until they "click" and snap properly into the cluster as MJK suggested.

Once accomplished reverse the process to reassemble and I believe your problem will be solved just as they were for QWKSLVR.

If this seems too difficult for you, take your car to a mechanic with this post and the printed out pdf.
They should have no problem.

Good luck.

 

[SonOfLiberty]

Wow, thank you so much for all of the fantastic help. The people in the NSX community are so helpful and friendly that it really makes having a NSX so much more enjoyable than simply ownership of a great machine. I truly appreciate these forums and everybody's help.

As it turns out, I wasn't confident of my skills lol I ended up going to a professional. I took it to Nabil and First Class Automotive, and he was just fantastic. Another super nice guy. He really went out of his way due to my work schedule, to find a way to work on my car.

pbassjo, The problem was indeed that the plug wasn't clipped all the way. Thank you very much for your help and info. Im sure that such great info can help others as well!