'91 S13 weird electrical issue - any ideas? - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

PW180SX · 02-10-2014, 07:25 AM

Hey everyone,

Did a bunch of research, can't exactly pinpoint my problem. Electrical is not my strong suit...so any input would be appreciated.

Here's my problem. I've had this issue with two motors now (RB & KA), but when I start the car everything runs just fine. But other than the clock on my cluster and the aftermarket gauges, no other electronics work. Windows don't work, RPM doesn't work, CD player doesn't work, headlights/blinkers don't work (well, headlights work, but the motors don't operate). Nothing works UNTIL I rev up the motor to about 3-4K, then everything fires up and works fine.

Even with the key to the ON position, then only thing that does anything is the fuel pump. No warning lights, CD player, windows, power seat belts etc.

Any ideas as to what this could be? I figured it's a ground issue with the chassis harness or even a battery/alternator problem. I went through every ground, sanded down the contact area etc. Battery has good connection (it's low on juice, but I tried swapping it with a known good battery and still has the same issue) and the alternator has to be good cause the motor I have now (KA) came out of my friends car he daily drove up to the point of removal.

The only thing I've done to the chassis harness is fix the fender harness issue and tucked it up. Maybe something is grounding out?

I'll also point out, the battery has been relocated to the trunk. But I did this two years ago with my original KA and it worked perfectly fine.

Any ideas would be appreciated, thanks!

foreverdeath · 02-10-2014, 07:38 AM

So nothin works but engine related stuff and the gauges you put in with the engine running? Do you have power a the fuse box ( each fuse) Check that first. that's a pretty wild problem idfk start there it may come down to looking over the fender harness tuck.

PW180SX · 02-10-2014, 07:44 AM

Yeah exactly. It's pretty crazy lol. I'll check power to the fuse box today and update with what I find

S14.5patches · 02-12-2014, 08:49 PM

Check the harness under the wheel well and see if it has been eaten through has been known to cause problems.

jorge1190 · 02-12-2014, 08:51 PM

Also check all your dual filament bulbs like brake lights. They can cause very weird problems if the filaments burn together.

Fuego · 02-12-2014, 09:40 PM

75a alt fuse.

PW180SX · 02-13-2014, 05:30 AM

Thanks for the ideas guys, I'll check on them today!

PW180SX · 02-13-2014, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fuego

75a alt fuse.

You were correct. Fixed all my problems, thanks man!

Fuego · 02-13-2014, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PW180SX

You were correct. Fixed all my problems, thanks man!

No worries, I had the exact same issue a couple months ago. Glad you got it fixed!

TwoForDeh · 02-21-2014, 04:14 PM

i was reading through this and was literally about to say check the 75a fuse. when those little bastards go, everything fucks up.

PW180SX · 02-23-2014, 10:58 AM

^
Yeah, Glad I know now! I grabbed a bunch of them at the junkyard lol lol

02-10-2014, 07:25 AM	#1
PW180SX Zilvia Junkie Join Date: May 2011 Location: Colorado Springs Age: 35 Posts: 490 Trader Rating: (32) Feedback Score: 32 reviews	'91 S13 weird electrical issue - any ideas? Hey everyone, Did a bunch of research, can't exactly pinpoint my problem. Electrical is not my strong suit...so any input would be appreciated. Here's my problem. I've had this issue with two motors now (RB & KA), but when I start the car everything runs just fine. But other than the clock on my cluster and the aftermarket gauges, no other electronics work. Windows don't work, RPM doesn't work, CD player doesn't work, headlights/blinkers don't work (well, headlights work, but the motors don't operate). Nothing works UNTIL I rev up the motor to about 3-4K, then everything fires up and works fine. Even with the key to the ON position, then only thing that does anything is the fuel pump. No warning lights, CD player, windows, power seat belts etc. Any ideas as to what this could be? I figured it's a ground issue with the chassis harness or even a battery/alternator problem. I went through every ground, sanded down the contact area etc. Battery has good connection (it's low on juice, but I tried swapping it with a known good battery and still has the same issue) and the alternator has to be good cause the motor I have now (KA) came out of my friends car he daily drove up to the point of removal. The only thing I've done to the chassis harness is fix the fender harness issue and tucked it up. Maybe something is grounding out? I'll also point out, the battery has been relocated to the trunk. But I did this two years ago with my original KA and it worked perfectly fine. Any ideas would be appreciated, thanks! __________________ Build Thread: http://zilvia.net/f/showthread.php?t=580492 IG: roadpirate

02-10-2014, 07:44 AM	#3
PW180SX Zilvia Junkie Join Date: May 2011 Location: Colorado Springs Age: 35 Posts: 490 Trader Rating: (32) Feedback Score: 32 reviews	Yeah exactly. It's pretty crazy lol. I'll check power to the fuse box today and update with what I find __________________ Build Thread: http://zilvia.net/f/showthread.php?t=580492 IG: roadpirate

02-12-2014, 08:49 PM	#4
S14.5patches Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Yadkinville, North Carolina Age: 28 Posts: 6 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Check the harness under the wheel well and see if it has been eaten through has been known to cause problems. __________________ just because you can, don't always mean you should.

02-12-2014, 09:40 PM	#6
Fuego Zilvia Addict Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Las Vegas Age: 34 Posts: 629 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	75a alt fuse. __________________

02-13-2014, 05:30 AM	#7
PW180SX Zilvia Junkie Join Date: May 2011 Location: Colorado Springs Age: 35 Posts: 490 Trader Rating: (32) Feedback Score: 32 reviews	Thanks for the ideas guys, I'll check on them today! __________________ Build Thread: http://zilvia.net/f/showthread.php?t=580492 IG: roadpirate

02-10-2014, 07:38 AM	#2
foreverdeath Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: va beach Age: 31 Posts: 321 Trader Rating: (3) Feedback Score: 3 reviews	So nothin works but engine related stuff and the gauges you put in with the engine running? Do you have power a the fuse box ( each fuse) Check that first. that's a pretty wild problem idfk start there it may come down to looking over the fender harness tuck.

02-12-2014, 08:51 PM	#5
jorge1190 Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Culpeper, Va Age: 33 Posts: 593 Trader Rating: (12) Feedback Score: 12 reviews	Also check all your dual filament bulbs like brake lights. They can cause very weird problems if the filaments burn together.

02-21-2014, 04:14 PM	#10
TwoForDeh Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: NH Posts: 426 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	i was reading through this and was literally about to say check the 75a fuse. when those little bastards go, everything fucks up.

02-23-2014, 10:58 AM	#11
PW180SX Zilvia Junkie Join Date: May 2011 Location: Colorado Springs Age: 35 Posts: 490 Trader Rating: (32) Feedback Score: 32 reviews	^ Yeah, Glad I know now! I grabbed a bunch of them at the junkyard lol lol __________________ Build Thread: http://zilvia.net/f/showthread.php?t=580492 IG: roadpirate