So I'm looking to get a new cluster in my car, as the stock one came with no tach. Looking at them, there's some that say they're from an EF but don't have the little green plug in the middle (only the 2 on either side). What is the plug in the middle for, and what will I be missing if I get one without the plug. Here's a link to one that has the plug in the middle 1988-1991 Honda Civic (EF) Cluster
And here's one without it 88-91 honda civic SI ef cluster Crx ef hatch seadan | eBay
The other 2 plugs on the cluster look the same, just don't want to buy a new cluster and have problems with it, any help is appreciated.

 

i just went thru this and it can be a hassle. first of, what is the year and model of your car?

 

88-89 dash wiring between si model cars are different, the small middle 3 wire plug was used as a shift light indicator in hf models. it needed for proper function however.

there were two separate manufacturers for these clusters over the 88-91 span, and thy have small wiring issues. you can see it in the solder track, and the location of the dummy lights in the middle, and the most obvious, placement of the seat belt light, and space between the fuel and coolant gauges. Makes all the difference in the world.

 

The car is a '90 STD. I've heard that the 88-89 clusters won't work in 90-91 cars, but is there an easy way to tell the difference? Most sellers only say it's for a 88-91, and I have no clue to tell between the 2 manufacturers you said made them.

 

the shape is the dead giveaway, 90-91 have softer, rounded corners on the top. 88-89 have more rectangular shape over all. look through the description THOROUGHLY, keeping an eye out from what vehicle it was pulled from, the manufacturers model numbers appear on the back side, near a corner. nippon seiko is one, the other escapes me currently.....somewhere in the archives here there is a good pinout breakdown that you should be able to reference when comparing clusters to what wiring set up you have. All my knowledge is of the si wiring

 

https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-...inout-2760387/ this will show you where the wires go, you can then trace the solder lead from the pin on the plug, to its corresponding light or gauge.

 

The 90-91 has a blue plug in the middle. As previously stated the outside visual differences are the 88-89 looks more square and squished. The 90-91 is more round and taller. If you don't want to re-wire just wait for the proper hear. Here a link on what the rear 90-91 looks like.

https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-...uster-2733564/

 

The blue plug appears thru all years. 88hf has it, 88si does not. 89 si does have it however. It's not that cut and dry. Catalog your wires and compare against other known harnesses.

 

i have a 90-91 cluster with tach I bought for my car, but since mine is an 88-89, it didn't work. it for an auto, but if you want it, I can sell.