M2-1002 Cluster Fiddle

[MikeA]

After a considerable time hunting, I've managed to get a M2-1002 cluster with the idea of swapping it into my '94 NA. There are two major challenges involved. Cosmetically it's somewhat worse for wear with the paint on the facia peeling and threatening to destroy the lamp icons and of course, it's not plug & play with the existing vehicle harness.

There is also the small matter of a previous speedo face conversion from KPH to MPH which will need to be undone. I suspect Adam (Revlimiter) may hold the key here.

Through this thread I hope to share, gather and document information and suggestions to get the cluster looking good and functioning within my car.

I'll start by posting a few photos of the cluster...



Above is a photo of the cluster as it arrived. Note the peeling paint revealing the alloy facia.




A side by side comparison of the M2 cluster on the left, and the usual NA cluster on the right.




Each wire routes via a connector or plug before terminating on the connector which plugs into the original vehicle harness. Note the foam noise damping material which has deteriorated into a sticky mess.




The rear of the cluster after removing most of the foam.




Above is one of a number of three piece plastic shrouds housing 1N1004 diodes.




Diode shroud open.




Showing the diode.




Rubber insulated in-line connectors. The rubber is as new.




All cluster wiring terminates in the connector above which would connect to the M2-1002 vehicle harness.

[Demon I Am]

What a convoluted mess. Good luck with it.

[— Phatmiata —]

Thanks for the update, I was wondering how you planned to tackle the harness. I always like the look of that cluster but after I saw the back I decided it was beyond my electronics scope of knowledge.

[— Malibu Q —]

The wiring looks pretty good to me. I would expect that it just requires different plugs. Would the M2 have different senders?
I googled dashboard icons and got loads of options. Plenty of free vector graphic files available. They're scalable images suitable for a vinyl cutter
Either:
Get vinyl graphics cut
Get the graphic cut as a mask and spray them on.
I didn't find this, as I didn't look very hard, but you may find dash icons as rub on transfers.
Good luck, it's going to be a unique cluster.

[Jamie]

I think I used used to own this and has certainly been on its travels (JP -> UK -> US -> NZ).

[— fwdtamiya —]

Who would do that to a 1002 cluster?

[Demon I Am]

time. age. heat. most likely

[MikeA]

Thanks for the contributions guys. I'm away on business until later this week so will probably not get to doing much before the weekend.

I plan on mapping out the wire color\plug pin\functionality next. It'd be great to find the M2 harness plug, so if anyone has one in the bottom drawer, best you get it out

What a convoluted mess. Good luck with it.

Thanks Demon I Am.

Thanks for the update, I was wondering how you planned to tackle the harness. I always like the look of that cluster but after I saw the back I decided it was beyond my electronics scope of knowledge.

No problem. It's not the wiring that scares me to be honest. More doing justice to the facia.

The wiring looks pretty good to me. I would expect that it just requires different plugs. Would the M2 have different senders?
I googled dashboard icons and got loads of options. Plenty of free vector graphic files available. They're scalable images suitable for a vinyl cutter
Either:
Get vinyl graphics cut
Get the graphic cut as a mask and spray them on.
I didn't find this, as I didn't look very hard, but you may find dash icons as rub on transfers.
Good luck, it's going to be a unique cluster.

Wiring is in as new condition with no deterioration to the insulation that I can see. In-line connectors are not corroded at all. I'll take your suggestions on board. The original finish on the facia is not smooth and I suspect will be difficult to replicate. I'll try to get a pic that shows this more clearly.

I think I used used to own this and has certainly been on its travels (JP -> UK -> US -> NZ).

I believe you're correct Jamie. I may have sent you a message on another forum in this regard. It certainly has toured the world.

Who would do that to a 1002 cluster?

I don't believe the damage was intentionally inflicted. Well, I would hope not.

time. age. heat. most likely

Agree. I guess it spent a good amount of time packaged without the owner at that time realizing it was potentially doing damage.

[— vote4pedro —]

There was a yahoo japan auction a couple months (?) back. It was a m2 1002 dash harness and metal dash frame. Keep an eye out, as it was the 2nd time I saw it up for sale with no takers. Third time would be a charm for you, and make this a simpler reality.

[— fwdtamiya —]

I'm talking about that markered mess of a KMPH->MPH conversion guys.

[★ revlimiter ★]

You emailed me about this earlier last year, right? I seem to remember seeing that converted speed face. What a mess...

The wiring is... terrifying.

BEST of luck! If I can help at all, you know how to find me.

[— vote4pedro —]

You emailed me about this earlier last year, right? I seem to remember seeing that converted speed face. What a mess...

The wiring is... terrifying.

BEST of luck! If I can help at all, you know how to find me.

More of a super time consuming project, that's why I suggested holding out for the factory loom with proper connector he needs.

[MikeA]

There was a yahoo japan auction a couple months (?) back. It was a m2 1002 dash harness and metal dash frame. Keep an eye out, as it was the 2nd time I saw it up for sale with no takers. Third time would be a charm for you, and make this a simpler reality.

I'll keep an eye open for that. It'd be a great help. Shout out if you spot it again please.

I'm talking about that markered mess of a KMPH->MPH conversion guys.

Oh, yes, that's somewhat suboptimal. Not the way I'd do it, but to each their own.

You emailed me about this earlier last year, right? I seem to remember seeing that converted speed face. What a mess...

The wiring is... terrifying.

BEST of luck! If I can help at all, you know how to find me.

Cheers Adam. Indeed I did. I fear the speedo won't clean up so we'll be speaking some more I'm sure.

More of a super time consuming project, that's why I suggested holding out for the factory loom with proper connector he needs.

It'd certainly make life a lot easier.

[MikeA]

Someone on another forum pointed me to this...

My initial measurements show it to be a perfect fit. Who would have thought?

http://www.te.com/catalog/bin/TE.Con...238,776996&N=7

[— Malibu Q —]

I wonder why you want to alter your stock Mx-5 harness to fit an M2 plug. Think about altering the M2 harness to fit Mx-5 dash plugs. It would make it easier to transfer to another car later, if desired.