EL Dials Auto Install - Issue (Resolved!)

arif_manji · Post by **arif_manji** » Sun Jan 14, 2018 7:14 pm

Hi Guys,

I need some help - I am struggling to install the EL dial in my pre-facelift JDM that has no dash dimmer control.
I have the complete EL auto dial kit (speedometer with convertor, fuel/temp gauges and complete loom un-modified). I thought this should be it and to keep the dimmer relay disconnected.

After installing it with that extra plug earthed, the auto gear selector, needles and mileage on the speedometer clock doesn't appear with the EL dimmer relay disconnected. Connecting it also doesn't change anything. However, if I connect a Non EL dimmer relay, the speedometer all works fine BUT then within 5-10 seconds the fuel and temperature gauges go funny? It's really odd!

After 5-10 seconds:

Dimmer Relays:

What I have tried so far:

- Tried another fuel/temperature gauge
- Tried another EL auto dial speedometer

The issue seems to link to the dimmer unit. Not sure if the wires going into it need modifying?

Any help will be appreciate - I've spent so much time on it, its now driving me mad.

Cheers

arif_manji · Post by **arif_manji** » Mon Jan 15, 2018 8:37 am

I also tried using a Manual EL cluster I bought from Vanzep, that lights up all fine with no issues. Although the engine light appears (VSS error) but that's due to my Prelude being a automatic and the speedometer being a Manual gearbox one.

Confused

sol-lude · Post by **sol-lude** » Mon Jan 15, 2018 10:06 am

Not going to lie mate I know we have spoken about this before and can imagine how frustrating this is.
Just going to double check do you currently have a dimmer switch in place?
If not have you tried just leaving the dimmer unit out completely? That's what I have done on my conversion.

arif_manji · Post by **arif_manji** » Mon Jan 15, 2018 10:19 am

sol-lude wrote:Not going to lie mate I know we have spoken about this before and can imagine how frustrating this is.
Just going to double check do you currently have a dimmer switch in place?
If not have you tried just leaving the dimmer unit out completely? That's what I have done on my conversion.

It is very frustrating mate lol.

My lude doesn't have a dimmer switch, just like your lude. If you keep the dimmer unit disconnected, it makes no difference. But if I connect a non EL dial dimmer unit, both gauges light up fine but then after 10-15 seconds, the fuel/temp gauge goes dull.

sol-lude · Post by **sol-lude** » Mon Jan 15, 2018 10:30 am

my assumption on this is to have a dimmer switch plugged in to stop this from happening and completing the circuit? May be completely wrong but that was my assumption. I had mine running for a while without the dimmer unit but don't thing this had any change to the Fuel and Temp gauge.

Only time I had that issue was when I plugged a dimmer unit in.

arif_manji · Post by **arif_manji** » Mon Jan 15, 2018 10:40 am

sol-lude wrote:my assumption on this is to have a dimmer switch plugged in to stop this from happening and completing the circuit? May be completely wrong but that was my assumption. I had mine running for a while without the dimmer unit but don't thing this had any change to the Fuel and Temp gauge.

Only time I had that issue was when I plugged a dimmer unit in.

Yep that's true - i tested it with a Manual EL dials with the dimmer unit kept disconnected - worked perfectly! Its only when you plug in the Auto EL Dials.

arif_manji · Post by **arif_manji** » Mon Jan 15, 2018 11:01 am

With the dimmer unit disconnected:

- No needle lights
- No gear selector light
- No mileage display
- Silver convertor buzzing
- Fuel/Temp faint

arif_manji · Post by **arif_manji** » Wed Jan 17, 2018 7:40 pm

Guys,

Do any of you know if you could install the dash dimmer system into a 4th Gen that doesn't have one? I have the switch with a long pigtail.

Cheers

arif_manji · Post by **arif_manji** » Fri Jan 19, 2018 8:58 pm

*** Resolved ***

Hi Guys,

Just to let you know that I have managed to resolve the issue I was having installing these EL dials. It looks like on the Auto EL Prelude's, it requires another additional earthling from the dimmer plug too.

I also managed to install the dash dimmer system, my Prelude never came with a dimmer switch and dash use to dim when the headlights came on. So now I have a switch too! The EL dials can be dimmed down when the lights come on. (Parts needed; switch, dimmer switch, dimmer relay unit, the long harness to the main dashboard grey plug).

I also manage to resolve the VSS error code I was getting. This was down to the KPH to MPH convertor that was previous installed directly to the ECU (looked totally bodged on). I removed the complete thing and re-soldered the cables back together. I didn't need it as I was using a UKDM speedometer.

A big thanks to @sol-lude for all info he provided me via WhatsApp and @Ash.Z for providing me with the dimmer parts with wiring info.

Some pictures of my success today!

Cheers

Then gave her a good clean too! After I had finished (started at 07:30), I realised it was bloody freezing!

Post by **Drax** » Fri Jan 19, 2018 10:43 pm

Great work and fair play for keeping at the problem

Lude is looking bloody gorgeous!!