I tried installing 2 different Instrument Clusters with Tachometers on my 1999 Mazda 323 LX 1.3lt bj engine SOHC. This model doesnt come with the Tachometer as standard.

Instrument Cluster 1 was from a 2.0lt Mazda 323f, graduations in km/h (213770[km] on display), this Instrument Cluster had the extra digital display. I got this one on ebay for €1.20 and another €20 to post it from Estonia.

Instrument Cluster 2 was from a 1.5lt Mazda 323, graduations in mph (183888[miles] on display, very close to my own mileage at 186609 at time of posting). My friend picked this one up for me in a breakers yard and I asked him to cut out the whole wiring loom with the Instrument Cluster. When i compared this wiring loom to my own wiring loom, I have every cable (of all the same colours) and when compared to the Mazda Protege 5 2002 Wiring Manual they tally up.

After removing my existing cluster and installing each of the new Instrument Clusters followed by reconnection of the negative battery cable each custer lit up after the install when I turned the key to position 1. The needles for temp and fuel moved so these worked, oil light etc comes on. For Instrument Cluster 1 the kilometers remain displayed when the key is out of the ignition.

When I turned the key to start the engine you can here a click and the Instrument cluster goes blank. It seems like the engine gets imobilised. Removing the key and trying to restart again does nothing. When I re-install my own instrument cluster with no Tachometer it starts again.

Does anyone know how to get the Tachometer Instrument Cluster to work in this 323 model??? Any help would be great.
Cheers
Bob

 

I have done some research on the issue (mazdabg.com) and there is a PATS (Passive Anti Theft System) immobiliser built into the Instrument Cluster. The PATS is made up of: the RFID transmitter in the key, a Coil antenna on the barrel lock for the key, a key symbol (immobiliser light) on the Instrument cluster, the PCM and an immobiliser unit under the steering wheel housing.

The immobiliser system was updated in 2000 so i checked the year for the car that my new instrument cluster 2 came from (it was a 1999 IC also).

Has anyone had experience with updating any of the immobiliser components, I dont want to pay the mazda stealership for yhem to tell me it cant be done or to tell me it will cost more thsn the car is worth!!