Cluster Swap - Frequently Asked Questions


Q:	I am having trouble finding this wire color, not all wire colors match up perfectly.
A:	Not every model has the exactly the same wire pattern on each wire. Some wire colors may have also faded. I have noticed that this diagram works perfectly for some while others have a few wires out of place. It is impossible for me to actually find every scheme for each situation, there are some differences depending on year, trim, and transmission. I suggest you do the wires that match up first, then try to define the ones that don't match up exactly, most of the codes will not be off by very much. Most should not have very much trouble at all.

Q:	What about my odometer? I want my miles to match up on the new cluster.
A:	By all means, I would suggest you first hunt out something with similar miles. You can also find a cluster with slightly higher miles and hold off on the swap until you have driven the car to where they match up. The best source is trying http://www.car-part.com and look under the keyword "Speedometer." If you have no luck finding one, you can do an odometer swap, however it is very delicate work because you must remove 2 needles (1 from each cluster), you must take your time. If you want to do this, email me and I will send you the instructions for the odometer swap. BTW, I offer the odometer swap free of charge. Just overnight me both clusters with the money to overnight them back. Once again, email me for the details.

Q:	The document won't download.
A:	First try to normal click on it and if that doesn't work try right click>Save Target As Still no luck? Click Here and I will send you one ASAP.

Q:	Everything seems to be hooked up correctly but alot of things aren't working.
A:	Check your fuses. If you didn't unhook your battery like I mentioned you should do, you probably blew a fuse. First, check the fuse labeled "Meter." If that doesn't work, check others under the dash and by the battery.

Q:	I recently finished my swap and I'm having power problems, I think it's my alternator. My battery's not staying charged and electrical items are dying on the road. Could this problem be linked to the swap?
A:	The alternator receives a signal from the ignition telling it to charge the car. There are 2 Yellow/Red/Silver wires going to the back of the cluster (-CHG) and (-Check). A positive signal from the (IGN, Yellow/-/silver) wire is sent to the cluster, then back out to these 2 yellow/red wires which signals the charging system to work. Make sure all your IGN wires are connected and emitting +12V and make sure both yellow/red wires are connected properly.

Q:	Can I use a SR20 cluster? B13 Cluster? Cluster from another car model?
A:	SR20 Cluster: As long as the cluster came from a B14, the SR20 cluster has the exact same wiring as the 1.6 tach cluster (it would be plug and play if you already have the 1.6 tach). Unfortunately, the 2.0 speedometer goes to 150mph while the 1.6 only goes to 130. Being that the odometer and the speedometer are one unit, it is impossible to swap your old odometer into the new cluster. If you really want an SR20 cluster THAT bad, you better hunt for one that matches your mileage. B13 cluster: Only the '93 and '94 models work because the 91 & 92 used a mechanical speedometer. The B13 has been known to work in the B14 but I believe the wiring diagram I have on this website will not help you (I think the B13 cluster has 4 plugs while the B14 has 3). Other cluster: If you're looking to do your own custom thing with aftermarket gauges or a cluster from a different model (such as a 240sx or a JDM Sunny), this is something you will have to figure out on your own. As for a cluster from a different car model, I'm positive you will not find another one with the same wiring pattern nor can I guarantee it will even physically fit in the dash.

Q:	My cluster came with an alarm light inside the tachometer. How do I make it work?
A:	I am well aware of the alarm light, I kinda wish I had a cluster with one in it. I honestly have no idea if it will work right off the battery. I have a hunch that it'll work by itself once everything is all hooked up, but if it doesn't, just try to run a 12V + and - lead to it and see what happens.

Q:	I got a manual, what about the OD off light? What does "OD off" mean?
A:	OD off is used on automatics, meaning "overdrive off" or 3rd gear when we need that extra pulling power. If you happen to have a manual transmission, you don't really need to worry about the light. Manual cars won't even have that wire.

Q:	How do I remove my radio to get to the tach (blue/orange) wire?
A:	You actually don't need to remove the radio like I did in the picture; the wire can be reached from underneath (on most models). From the floor of the passenger side, look up underneath the radio (right above the ECU). You should be able to find that same harness right against the plastic trim. You can search out the wire from there. Remember DON'T CONFUSE IT WITH THE BLUE/RED WIRE WHICH LOOKS ALMOST THE SAME, THE CORRECT COLOR IS BLUE WITH AN ORANGE STRIPE.

Q:	There are 4 black GND wires, which one do I cut off to make the new IGN wire? These 2+ wires have the exact color scheme, which one's which?
A:	Real simple one, if two or more wires have the exactly the same coloring pattern, they are all the same. You can mix them around all you want and it won't matter. This also means it doesn't matter which black/-/silver wire you cut, they are all the same.

Q:	Looking at the diagram, the left one (w/out tach) has a wire marked "(no label)yel/red/sil," the right one (w/ tach) has "(-check)yel/red/sil." Wouldn't this mean that they are both the "-check"? Why does the left one say "no label"?
A:	Correct, it is the same wire, it does the same thing. I wrote "no label" on the left cluster because there is no label physically on the back of the cluster. The right cluster has it physically labeled as "check" so therefore, I wrote "-check" in the diagram to note what the back of the cluster says. The '-' symbol of course indicates that the wire is a negative source. BTW, yel/red/sil activates the charging system.

Q:	This guy says this cluster came from a 1.6 Sentra and NOT a 200sx SE, how is this possible? I thought all B14 1.6 Sentras were tachless.
A:	Only the XE/GXE models come without the tach the models that DO come with a tach: B13: >>1.6- 91-94 SE >>2.0- 91-94 SE-R B14: >>1.6- 95-98 200sx SE >>1.6- 95-99 Sentra GLE >>1.6- 99 Sentra GXE-Limited >>2.0- 95-98 200sx SE-R >>2.0- 98-99 Sentra SE and SE-L