I really didn't want this to be my first post ,,

I have a 85 se 13b I recently aquired . I took steps to prepare a start-up . I went to start her up and a stream of smoke came from the vent in the dash.. I imediatly stoped and traced it back to the instrument cluster .





This wouldn't cause her to start-up would it ?? Can you start the engine w/o the cluster ?

Here's my 85 RX7 Website I'm hoping I can get her runnin and on the road . But she's been sitting for awhile in the impound yard I used to work at and I really don't know how long its been since she's been running .... I'm really in no hurry to do this (baby steps)...

Now it looks like I may need a Instrument Cluster , could somebody post the yrs these are interchangable ? much appreciated

This forum is awesome , lots of info (been reading for 4days straight, getting cross-eyed) the search function is very touchy, (results may vary) but I use it when needed ....

thanks for any help givin ,, looking foward to more posting and learning

,,......................................... Brian

 

Cluster interchange is limited to 84-85, if I recall correctly. 79-83 used a different style, and I dont think they can even be placed into the 84-85 dash. I know the gauge layout is far different.
That actually looks as though something else shorted against the cluster, but still likely toasted the printed circuit.
Yes, this *could* be the reason for it to not start, as could many other items. I don't know enough about the fuel injection system used on the SE, so I will leave that to others who can better help.

 

Well there really isn't anything around that could fry it that I could see .

Here's is a pic of the harness :



If you look closely you can see the 2 pins on top are burnt , weird .... none of the wires in the harness itself are burnt .

I think it may have something to do /w all the rust and corrotion on the board plus that 'blob' of something could of shorted it out (I hope)..... but I could be wrong . I really don't know ....

Hell I don't even know what that pin actually goes to (function)... hopefully somebody will know ......

Crap , interchanging the instrument cluster is only set for 84-85 models does limit me finding one at a decent price


,,...........................................Brian

 

Ebay, you can find one there at a reasonable price. Start checking your fuses and fuseable links. You may have fried one.

Use the online wiring diagram and trace it out.

 

Taking a quick look at the wiring diagrams, it appears that the top pin (one melted on the connector) is for the tach (the wire should be yellow with a green stripe). Going counterclockwise from there, the two pins next to it are the + and - for the cluster illumination. You can run without the cluster. This could possibly cause your starting problems. See the GSL-SE ECU and tach both share the trailing coil - terminal for the RPM signal. If the tach wire is shorted (maybe intermittently), the ECU will not fire the injectors correctly. Try to start the car with the cluster unplugged. See if that helps.

You should be able to get a cluster at the local wrecking yard or on ebay. If you can't find one or you want to keep the mileage correct, you can send me the cluster and I can try to fix it for you. I would do it for free. Just pay shipping both ways.

Good luck.

Kent

 

Car should start even with the cluster removed. I just started mine the other day to move the car with the cluster sitting in my house.

 

Thanks I'll check it out and post the results It's so damm hot here (110degrees) I'll have to want til this evening .......


,,...........................Brian

 

HOTT Damm you guys ROCK .... She fired right up and didn't die once ... She doing the idle surge thing at low rpm, but god knows there's TONS of info here about this so hopefully I won't need to post ...... Thanks to all ....


,,...................................Brian

 

Sweet deal. Glad you got her going. Just get a new cluster and you will be cruising in no time.

Kent