Dash & Tail Lights do not work, 5th Gears Grinds

MrHershey · 10-27-2011, 04:30 PM

Hows it going car club, i recently purchased a 93 rx7 pretty clean 74,000 miles all stock.

question: My dash lights are not working. My Wiper blades wont operate. My running tailights dont work but the brakes do. and i get a little grind going into 5th but once i got it in its all good... thinkn its the syncro.

thanks for the help

Signal 2 · 10-28-2011, 09:30 AM

Congrats on the car. Sounds nice. Post up a picture when you have time.
I stink at diagnosing electrical issues...I avoid them like Bin Laden avoided ham sandwichs. But start with the obvious...fuses for the dash lights and wipers. And check the obvious, the brightness adjustment just to the right of the steering wheel to make sure it's not turned all the way down.
The taillights sound like a continuity problem.
As for the grinding, yes it's almost certainly the 5th gear synchro. A common issue on the 93 models. Supposedly upgraded in subsequent years. It's not all that difficult or expensive to change out yourself, but you'll have to pull the transmission.

***ZGN*** · 10-28-2011, 09:32 AM

Did you check the fuses? Do your headlights work?
These all all simple problems that require just some basic troubleshooting with a multimeter to determine the cause. Grind going into 5th is more than likely the syncro. http://mahjik.homestead.com/files/ho...o/synchro.html

Force13b · 10-28-2011, 11:16 AM

The dash and the tail lights are hooked to the same fuse. Should look like this under the dash on driver side.

There are 3 rows, five fuses in each row.

-- Stop lights 20A -- R. Fog lights 10A -- Sunroof 15A ------------ Fuel Pump 20A -- Air bag 10A --
-- Door lock 10A --- Tail lights 15A ------ Power window 30A --- Meter 15A -------- Wiper 20A --
-- Rear wiper 10A -- Hazard 15A --------- Room 10A --------------- Engine 15A ------- Lighter 15A --

If the fuse still pops after you replace it you have a short somewhere you need to trace down.

speedjunkie · 10-28-2011, 09:42 PM

I don't think they fixed the 5th gear synchro after 93 because my 94 had that problem too haha.

Mazdabater · 10-28-2011, 09:57 PM

Dash and tail lights will 100% be a fuse. My FC has had a slight grind into 5th since the day I got it, I expected it to get worse but its been 5 years and its still fine.

***Herblenny*** · 10-29-2011, 06:00 AM

He's a local guy and I told him to check the fuses. He checked the tail/glove/dash 15A fuse and its blowing the new one. So, he has a short somewhere.. pain in the ass to find out where.

Its a pretty nice car and good to have another FD owner in town!

Garfinkles Motor Works · 10-29-2011, 12:04 PM

Bring the tranny and the new syn ring to me for a grinding fix .What fun .

MrHershey · 10-30-2011, 10:12 PM

thanks for the replies fellas and yes.. like herblenny said i changed the fuses that were blown but no work the tail fuse blew so i had to place with a 25 it helped for night drivn but i pull the fuse at night cause even when my car is off the dash and tails stay on...

so heres a rundown of whats going on maybe you guys could help me pin point where and what i should be looking for and also a diagram to help me search the wires would be great!

so my dash and tails did not work or my front wipers and stereo speakers fade off and on some times.. i looked at my fuse box and replaced them only to see it blow. so i placed with a 25 instead of the 15 because i do not want to get pulled over..

the lights worked on the dash and the tails but when i turn off the car the tails and dash stayed on..

so i pull the fuse out at night so i dont get an electrical fire when i sleep lol

soo this is a priority for me now haha i am more than willing to do the work i just need a diagram for the wiring and a clear explanation of what i should be looking for?

also i could use some help finding all the grounds to see if that maybe the problem?

my headlights work fine and my rear wiper turns on fine.

Force13b · 10-31-2011, 10:46 AM

Electrical gremlins are such a pain in the ass. You can download the wiring diagram here
http://foxed.ca/foxed/index.php?page=rx7manual#thirdgen

MrHershey · 10-31-2011, 07:31 PM

GREAT! thanks now is there anything specific i need to be looking for?

Force13b · 11-01-2011, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrHershey

GREAT! thanks now is there anything specific i need to be looking for?

My guess is something is cross wired, or the PO setup something to leach off that circuit like lowjack or stereo equipment. If it was shorting to the frame even a 25amp fuse wouldn't keep it from blowing.

MrHershey · 11-01-2011, 12:05 PM

so its not bad ground?. and yes the 25amp fuse works to illuminate dash and tails. not blowing fuse..

I should keep my attention focused on the drivers side back to the taillights?

i assume if anything is crossed that dealt with the cluster and tails it wouldnt be located on the right side (passsanger side)? trying to keep myself from searching in places that wouldnt be any help.

Force13b · 11-01-2011, 02:40 PM

That fuse for dash and tails is your running lights in general. So also you front parking lights, i would start at the lights and see if any of the connectors are frayed.

10-27-2011, 04:30 PM	#1
MrHershey The Newbie Join Date: Oct 2011 iTrader: (0) Posts: 16 Rep Power: 0	Dash & Tail Lights do not work, 5th Gears Grinds - New Member Hows it going car club, i recently purchased a 93 rx7 pretty clean 74,000 miles all stock. question: My dash lights are not working. My Wiper blades wont operate. My running tailights dont work but the brakes do. and i get a little grind going into 5th but once i got it in its all good... thinkn its the syncro. thanks for the help

10-28-2011, 09:30 AM	#2
Signal 2 Viable Fossil Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Mid-West iTrader: (0) Posts: 199 Rep Power: 17	Congrats on the car. Sounds nice. Post up a picture when you have time. I stink at diagnosing electrical issues...I avoid them like Bin Laden avoided ham sandwichs. But start with the obvious...fuses for the dash lights and wipers. And check the obvious, the brightness adjustment just to the right of the steering wheel to make sure it's not turned all the way down. The taillights sound like a continuity problem. As for the grinding, yes it's almost certainly the 5th gear synchro. A common issue on the 93 models. Supposedly upgraded in subsequent years. It's not all that difficult or expensive to change out yourself, but you'll have to pull the transmission. __________________ Jim VR R1 FD Last edited by Signal 2; 10-28-2011 at 09:33 AM..

10-28-2011, 09:32 AM	#3
*ZGN* I fly drones & film crap. Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Birmingham, AL iTrader: (6) Posts: 2,262 Rep Power: 10	Did you check the fuses? Do your headlights work? These all all simple problems that require just some basic troubleshooting with a multimeter to determine the cause. Grind going into 5th is more than likely the syncro. http://mahjik.homestead.com/files/ho...o/synchro.html __________________ Kevin

10-28-2011, 11:16 AM	#4
Force13b cxxxx\|::::::::::::> Join Date: Nov 2009 iTrader: (1) Posts: 315 Rep Power: 16	The dash and the tail lights are hooked to the same fuse. Should look like this under the dash on driver side. There are 3 rows, five fuses in each row. -- Stop lights 20A -- R. Fog lights 10A -- Sunroof 15A ------------ Fuel Pump 20A -- Air bag 10A -- -- Door lock 10A --- Tail lights 15A ------ Power window 30A --- Meter 15A -------- Wiper 20A -- -- Rear wiper 10A -- Hazard 15A --------- Room 10A --------------- Engine 15A ------- Lighter 15A -- If the fuse still pops after you replace it you have a short somewhere you need to trace down. Last edited by Force13b; 10-28-2011 at 11:19 AM..

10-29-2011, 06:00 AM	#7
*Herblenny* Founder/Administrator/Internet Pitbull :) Join Date: Jan 2008 iTrader: (11) Posts: 644 Rep Power: 10	He's a local guy and I told him to check the fuses. He checked the tail/glove/dash 15A fuse and its blowing the new one. So, he has a short somewhere.. pain in the ass to find out where. Its a pretty nice car and good to have another FD owner in town! __________________ DGRR 2013 - Year of 13B www.DealsGapRotaryRally.com http://www.facebook.com/Herblenny

10-28-2011, 09:42 PM	#5
speedjunkie RCC Loves Me Not You Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Colorado Springs, CO iTrader: (1) Posts: 2,089 Rep Power: 19	I don't think they fixed the 5th gear synchro after 93 because my 94 had that problem too haha.

10-28-2011, 09:57 PM	#6
Mazdabater FC3S Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Townsville, QLD, AUS iTrader: (0) Posts: 326 Rep Power: 15	Dash and tail lights will 100% be a fuse. My FC has had a slight grind into 5th since the day I got it, I expected it to get worse but its been 5 years and its still fine.

10-29-2011, 12:04 PM	#8
Garfinkles Motor Works RCC Contributor Join Date: Mar 2008 iTrader: (11) Posts: 535 Rep Power: 17	Bring the tranny and the new syn ring to me for a grinding fix .What fun .

10-30-2011, 10:12 PM	#9
MrHershey The Newbie Join Date: Oct 2011 iTrader: (0) Posts: 16 Rep Power: 0	thanks for the replies fellas and yes.. like herblenny said i changed the fuses that were blown but no work the tail fuse blew so i had to place with a 25 it helped for night drivn but i pull the fuse at night cause even when my car is off the dash and tails stay on... so heres a rundown of whats going on maybe you guys could help me pin point where and what i should be looking for and also a diagram to help me search the wires would be great! so my dash and tails did not work or my front wipers and stereo speakers fade off and on some times.. i looked at my fuse box and replaced them only to see it blow. so i placed with a 25 instead of the 15 because i do not want to get pulled over.. the lights worked on the dash and the tails but when i turn off the car the tails and dash stayed on.. so i pull the fuse out at night so i dont get an electrical fire when i sleep lol soo this is a priority for me now haha i am more than willing to do the work i just need a diagram for the wiring and a clear explanation of what i should be looking for? also i could use some help finding all the grounds to see if that maybe the problem? my headlights work fine and my rear wiper turns on fine.

10-31-2011, 10:46 AM	#10
Force13b cxxxx\|::::::::::::> Join Date: Nov 2009 iTrader: (1) Posts: 315 Rep Power: 16	Electrical gremlins are such a pain in the ass. You can download the wiring diagram here http://foxed.ca/foxed/index.php?page=rx7manual#thirdgen

10-31-2011, 07:31 PM	#11
MrHershey The Newbie Join Date: Oct 2011 iTrader: (0) Posts: 16 Rep Power: 0	GREAT! thanks now is there anything specific i need to be looking for?

11-01-2011, 12:05 PM	#13
MrHershey The Newbie Join Date: Oct 2011 iTrader: (0) Posts: 16 Rep Power: 0	so its not bad ground?. and yes the 25amp fuse works to illuminate dash and tails. not blowing fuse.. I should keep my attention focused on the drivers side back to the taillights? i assume if anything is crossed that dealt with the cluster and tails it wouldnt be located on the right side (passsanger side)? trying to keep myself from searching in places that wouldnt be any help.

11-01-2011, 02:40 PM	#14
Force13b cxxxx\|::::::::::::> Join Date: Nov 2009 iTrader: (1) Posts: 315 Rep Power: 16	That fuse for dash and tails is your running lights in general. So also you front parking lights, i would start at the lights and see if any of the connectors are frayed.