I've got a July/87 build GXL with a very...interesting history...

My current annoyance is the lack of my shift-up light not working. Yes -- I know -- most everyone is happier without them, but I am one for originality.

After some searching, I am left feeling that my annoying gearbox problem is to blame.

Regardless of the clutch pedal position (In vs. Out), I am able to start the car in neutral. If I put it in ANY gear, again regardless of clutch pedal position, I am UNABLE to start the car. So it seems someone, somewhere, somehow made this happen.. how is what I do not yet know. I want to put it right.

Possibly (probably not) related is that with the car idling, having it in gear versus just in neutral (with the clutch in during both instances) the idle will rev up if it is put into gear.

Obviously, someone thought moving this starter interlock from the clutch to the gearbox preferable -- but I do not.


Any ideas?

 

The shift up light is driven by two sensors primarily. 5th gear switch (located on trans) and the map sensor. Could also just be a burned out bulb...

The previous owner may have jumpered the 5th gear switch wires so that the shift up light didn't work, it does get a bit annoying....

 

Your car has a neutral switch which prevents the car from being started in gear. The Interlock is just for requiring the car to have its clutch pedal be depressed before starting the car.

 

Sorry, I must have edited out the bit in my original post about this. This is a known good cluster from one of my other cars, but my first thought when it didn't work in this car was the bulb; I replaced it. Still didn't work, so I replaced it with a completely different brand and even LED this time.

 

Weird. My other 87 did not have a neutral switch. Probably bypassed.

 

Post #3 https://www.rx7club.com/2nd-generati...-light-595098/

 

The back of the cluster (traces, pathways, whatever) look great. Again, this is a cluster that I have had in another car - I know the shift up light worked. The bulb has been replaced twice even though the original was probably still good.

I'm thinking I should look for continuity between the wire in the cluster harness for the shift up light all the way to the ECU. That or run a new wire completely?

 

Pin 1I of the ECU is for the 5th Gear Switch. In 5th gear and the wire has 12 volts otherwise it's supposed to be closer to 1 to 2 volts in the other gears.