I don't know what the topic should be... I'm new. Good enough?

thastings · Oct 19th, 2003, 11:47 AM

So yeah, I'm new to this forum (obviously...). I just got my Nissan about a week ago, it's my first car and I'm relatively sure I'm going to love it. It wasn't very expensive and it's in good condition except for a few minor things. It's a 1994 Sentra LE, btw.

My brother recommended I find a forum for nissans since I've got a problem with mine that needs repair, and fast. See, I have to pass MD state inspection, it failed last time for some minor things. I've been fixing things myself because I do *not* have the kind of money necessary to pay a mechanic to fix it for me. So far I've replaced a tail light, changed the blades, replaced a sidemarker light, headlight, and that's about it. Like I said, nothing big, but I would have paid a fair amount at the mechanic. Anyway, there are still two problems, one I really want to fix myself because the mechanic said about how much it would be to repair ($100-$200), the other one won't be expensive at all but I don't want to do it... it would involve getting under the car and messing around with some stuff I don't know anything about.

In any case, the $100-$200 problem is that the high beam indicator light stays on, all of the time when you're driving. When it's normal or low beams, it's on but very faded... but it still is visible. When highbeams are on, it's bright like it should be. I've been spending a lot of time trying to fix it myself that I've sort of spent all of the time the state gave me to repair. In 2 days, it's going to be re-inspected and that light needs to be fixed by then.

I hate people who don't obey the laws of forums (or any other place..) being a mod on one myself. In this case, though, the 48 hour waiting period would put me over the deadline... so I'm forced to either see if anyone can help me here and risk being banned or whatever other punishment is used here, or pay the nice mechanic his money. I should also mention that I already took the time to see if anyone else had had this problem and had posted it.. I didn't see anything.

So what I'm asking is: Can someone forgive me for posting in the wrong section, and also tell me what the issue might be and how to fix it? I would really appreciate it.

And also, I tend to use excessive commas and talk too much and so salvaging my problem from this mess might be difficult. If you would be so kind as to reply to this with some ideas but you aren't quite sure what my problem is, please please please ask. Thanks.

Gump · Oct 19th, 2003, 10:59 PM

Poor output levels usualy have to do with a ground issue, Since your high beams work and your lows are poor i would investigate your relays first. check for proper grounds and make sure you have solid constant power and a good ground.

BikerFry · Oct 20th, 2003, 09:11 AM

I can't think of what the problem could be, but if you need to pull your gauge cluster out and take a look it's a piece of cake. Just take out the 4 screws that hold the black trim panel around the gauge cluster, and then I think either 2 or 4 more that hold the gauge cluster in place. With these out there is enough slack in the wiring harnesses that you can pull the cluster out and look behind it to see if there's anything obvious wrong. It'll take ya all of 5 minutes to get behind it. I think you're supposed to take off the center dash trim panel too, but with a little determination you can get it out and the plastic will easily bend enough to come out without cracking.

Maybe there's a crack somewhere and some stray light from elsewhere is lighting up that indicator a little bit...

toolapcfan · Oct 20th, 2003, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Maybe there's a crack somewhere and some stray light from elsewhere is lighting up that indicator a little bit...

This would be my guess. Like Bikerfry mentioned, just loosen the center bezel that goes around your radio and HVAC controls, then you'll be able to get your instrument cluster bezel off without removing the center bezel. One thing though that is tough to do without damaging it, is to get the bezel loose from the drviers side vent. You have to use a metal pick or a jewlers screwdriver to release four clips that hold the vent to the bezel on all four corners. Use a flashlight to see inside the vent. What's the thing under the car that you don't want to do? Let us know so that we can help you to determine if it's something you might want to tackle yourself.

BikerFry · Oct 20th, 2003, 07:12 PM

Oh yeah, I forgot about all that stuff on the left side. Annoying, but I'm a dumbass and I didn't have any problem wrestling with it.

So it's certainly do-able.