cbaber

Just bought a 1996 GSR and it has a CEL. I tried to check it using the ol' plug shorting method that we are all so familiar with but it will not work. I turn the key to the ON position and all the lights just light up instead of the CEL blinking the code. I even cut the wires and connected them directly out of frustration, and still nothing. Any idea's?

jdragon1974

1st is your cel on if so, pull your ecu fuse in the fuse blox under the hood by the batt.. then re-insert it. try again.

cbaber

I know the CEL is on, ill try to reset it after work, its too cold right now lol. But anyways, the guy I bought it from said the CEL came on when he switched to an ITR cluster. I didnt think that was possible. Is it? Im pretty sure my code is going to be for an o2 sensor, it has a custom exhaust and DC sports 4-1 header so maybe they didnt hook up the other o2.

vladd

what year is the itr cluster and is it from an american itr? 94-97 and 98+ clusters aren't interchangeable without modification of the cluster.

cbaber

Not sure its a JDM cluster. Whats the difference between the years?

VegasInvasion

The circuit routing is different, as well as the ECU itself. If the cluster doesn't match the ECU and/or your car's wiring application, there's a good chance quite a few things won't work.

There's a way to bypass the cluster CEL and make your own if you want to check it, but you'll need some moderate electronics skills.

Also, if you have a multimeter, you could just check the O2 sensor signal itself to verify whether its working.

vladd

it's not about matching the ecu; it's about matching the wiring in the dash. the 94-97 usdm cluster wiring is different from the 98+ usdm wiring, while 96-99 ecu's are basically the same (not sure how the jdm clusters differ from the usdm versions). try installing a usdm 94-97 cluster and see what happens.

Brice.Hayden

iTrader: (15)

plug in an obd2 CEL reader on the pass side of your center console.

seanbev24

x2 a lot of places will check it for free (sears, autozone, etc)

cbaber

Well good thing im studying electronics engineering lol. Im picking up another cluster this week ill wait till then to mess with things. Thanks for the help guys. Ill let you know what happens.

1s1cdc2

it is possible..cuz it happens to mine too... mine is a 01 gsr

cbaber

Your check engine light came on after swapping in a JDM ITR cluster? Are you able to check the code using the jumper method or does it just stay on? Thanks for the input.

1s1cdc2

i also check it with a paper clip, and also took to advance auto zone to scan it they say its my o2 sensor, cuz i aslo have a test pipe. but i had that put on before i even put on the itr cluster...so now it stays on...i never fixed it lols...cuz i know there is nothing wrong on my car...but as soon my check engine light came on i just swapped it back so never used that itr cluster in my car.

cbaber

Well someone could have taken the bulb out of the older cluster or something, and that could be why there was no CEL on your old cluster.