I just bought a 1983 280zx with a digital dash.
My problem is that the gauges do not work. But the back-light function does work when I turn the rheostat.
I have a picture attached with what I mean.
Before you begin to type please don't tell me to convert to analog because im not going to do it. Digital dash's are the coolest thing ever, does anyone have any suggestions? Am I better off buying another digital dash off ebay and plugging that one in and just throw my current one away?
Also the odometer and the tripmeter do not work/spin as they should.

 

Turn to EL-86 in the 83 FSM (XenonS130 - S130 Reference) ... Digital Meter Trouble Shooting. I'd scan it for you, but you might as well have the FSM right in front of you.

 

Before you spend a ton of cash, check your grounds. Some digital dashes have several. I had issues with mine and all it was was a corrorded connector. Cleaned it up and everything worked like new.

 

Datsun 280ZX Turbo Digital Dash and Full Set of Dash Guages with Wiring Harness | eBay
I have a full digital dash on e-bay if you need it let me know I'll go 150 shipped. Shoot me an e-mail to:
bruce@kohensports.com

 

Will a digital dashboard from a turbo car fit in a car with a digital dash but, without a turbo?

 

Yesh.

Did you do the checks outlined in the FSM? I'd hate for you to install another digi dash just to find out it was something else...

 

I did and the display is bad. I just need to know if I can put the turbo dash in my normal dash.

 

...x2...

 

I'm lucky and my "disco dash" works really well, except for the water temp gauge. It works when it wants to.

 

My '83 has the digital dash, and hopefully I wont have too many problems with it. I decided to keep it, just to have something different. Hope you figure out what's wrong with it. Good luck to both of us.