944 S2 Cabrio Instrument Cluster Problem

ADRENALINE911 · 05-21-2010, 03:28 AM

Trying to figure out electrical problems with my 1990 S2 Cabrio.The dash lights were not working at first and neither was gas gauge as well as horn.The temp gauge has since quit working and the voltmeter stopped working but now is alive again.I was trying to remove cluster yesterday but it is a little pain in the ***.The radio now quit working and air bag light popped on a few days ago.I just got the car and have been trying to figure it out for a couple of weeks.Really frustrating.I checked the G-2 relay and X-relay and seemed to be ok.I checked battery ground and body ground under dash above hood release.All were not corroded at all and are tight.There is evidence that some mice were living in the heating and a/c ducts.I fear they may have nibbled on the wiring.I believe it may be the same short/bad ground causing all the problems.I checked volts at battery and is was 13.8 volts there coming out of alternator.Anywhere else I should look.I really don't want to dismantle dash if at all possible but I fear I may have to.The car has 73K miles on it.My next step is to start checking behind the fuse and relay panel.Any help would be great.We have been having some nice weather in the Northeast and I wan't to get driving.Thanks in advance.

Jay

kfray · kfray's Garage

Check the G2 relay again it should be energized with the key on the output of the G2 relay is called Term 15 and supplies power to the area you are having trouble with. It is possible that the ignition switch is at fault.

ADRENALINE911 · 05-21-2010, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kfray

Check the G2 relay again it should be energized with the key on the output of the G2 relay is called Term 15 and supplies power to the area you are having trouble with. It is possible that the ignition switch is at fault.

Thanks Keith.I appreciate the reply.I just ran out and checked it with a voltmeter and I had 12.2 volts at pin 30 with the key in the on position.There are many other idiot lights on that side that did not work when the relay was out but came back on with the relay in.I am going to check it again tomorrow on the other pin to make sure I am getting full power on the other side.Found a couple of more grounds up under dash that I am going to clean also just to rule them out.Does that fuse and relay panel separate from the wiring harness?There are little clips all the way around it but looks like a pain to separate.I wanted to check all connections on the other side for any corrosion.Thanks again.

kfray · kfray's Garage

I have a 87 944 NA and inside the relay enclosure the relay socket panel is held in place by plastic screw knobs in the corners, with the screw knobs loosened the relay socket base can be pulled up and on the bottom there are push on connectors which can be released.
I do not know if your 90 S2 is the same i would guess they are similar.
Good Luck

ADRENALINE911 · 05-22-2010, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kfray

I have a 87 944 NA and inside the relay enclosure the relay socket panel is held in place by plastic screw knobs in the corners, with the screw knobs loosened the relay socket base can be pulled up and on the bottom there are push on connectors which can be released.
I do not know if your 90 S2 is the same i would guess they are similar.
Good Luck

Thanks for the insight Keith.

Jay