CTZCC.COM
http://forums.ctzcc.com/

no dsh lights on 280zx
http://forums.ctzcc.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=8813		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  bonenct [ Sat Oct 10, 2015 4:55 pm ]
Post subject:  no dsh lights on 280zx
any ideas on why i have no dash lights. everything else works. wanted to see if there was a known problem with the 280's before i start digging into it. also how does the gauge cluster come out. non digital dash 82
Author:  bonenct [ Sun Oct 11, 2015 12:13 am ]
Post subject:  Re: no dsh lights on 280zx
Also just noticed that i have no tail lights either. does anyone have a lighting wiring diagram for a 82 280zx
Author:  Frank T [ Sun Oct 11, 2015 12:16 am ]
Post subject:  Re: no dsh lights on 280zx
You should check your fuses first thing. Any time two (or more) systems are effected with the same problem, a blown fuse is a likely suspect. If it is a fuse, you can change it and get lights back on again, but you still have to determine why the fuse blew in the first place.

Frank
Author:  Sabre95 [ Sun Oct 11, 2015 6:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: no dsh lights on 280zx
Frank is right. The fuse is the first thing you should check. If it is blown, you need to find out why (the hard part). One thing you could check is look at where your wiring harness passes through the fire wall. The rubber gromets can wear out allowing the wires to rub against the sharp metal. This can cause a short to ground and a blown fuse. The tough part is it can be intermittent because the worn wire may not always contact the metal and short the circuit. In other words, you replace the fuse and all is good for a while until you hit that just right bump that causes the worn wire to short out again. Also, if you can get under the car look for the same thing. Any wires/ harness that pass through a gromet. Hope this helps.......BTW...a wiring or harness diagram would help a lot. Good luck. Dave
Author:  Frank T [ Sun Oct 11, 2015 6:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: no dsh lights on 280zx
:lol: Now THAT sounds like the voice of experience!
Author:  Frank T [ Sun Oct 11, 2015 6:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: no dsh lights on 280zx
There is, of course, the off-the-wall possibility it's two things happening at once, each one effecting one system.
The dash lights have a rheostat dashboard dimmer switch *somewhere*. it will look like this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1982-datsun-nis ... a0&vxp=mtr

Make sure that's turned all the way up BRIGHT before you start looking elsewhere. We'd all feel foolish if we started telling you to pull things apart, and later learned your knob was turned down. :roll:
Please don't ask me how I know that. :oops: (Duhhhhh...)
Author:  Sabre95 [ Sun Oct 11, 2015 7:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: no dsh lights on 280zx
Forgot to mention a couple of other things. Take a good look at your wiring harness and multipoint connectors. Look for corrosion and loose wires at the connectors. You'd be amazed at the havec corrosion can reap on a electrical circuit. Resistance where it's not wanted is a bad thing....
Author:  Paul [ Mon Oct 12, 2015 9:13 am ]
Post subject:  Re: no dsh lights on 280zx
Yea fuse first. Dash lights and parking lights are usually on the same fuse, so if you loose parking lights, you will know, because your dash lights are out. Otherwise, you wouldn't have a clue. Headlights go out you will know. If fuse blows right away, you have a issue.....if you put it in and works, now, make sure all the bulbs works, and is a good thing to check all sockets for corrosion. Also, check the wire harness were it comes out of the fuse box, under the carpet along the rocker panel.
Author:  bonenct [ Wed Oct 14, 2015 2:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: no dsh lights on 280zx
ill check them out this weekend. the fuse is good. that was the first thing i checked. i also checked to see if the dimmer switch was turned up all the way an it is.
Author:  Frank T [ Wed Oct 14, 2015 4:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: no dsh lights on 280zx
Switch could be burned out; all it is is a rheostat/potentiometer. You can jump over it with a wire to bypass it and watch to see if your panel lights come on full bright. If they do, you just need to replace the switch. If they don't, the problem lies elsewhere. Best tested in a dim garage.

Frank
Author:  bonenct [ Tue Oct 20, 2015 4:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: no dsh lights on 280zx
K guys i checked the fuses an they are fine. I pulled the dimmer switch an tested it an got nothing. Which pins on the switch am i suppose to check. Also i checked to see if i have power to the switch an nothing there at the connecter. Does anyone have a wiring diagram for the 82 280zx
Author:  Frank T [ Tue Oct 20, 2015 5:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: no dsh lights on 280zx
http://www.google.com/search?q=1982+280 ... PgodvGwMwQ

Trace backwards until you hit the first "hot" spot. The problem either lies btwn that point and your switch, or in the switch itself, or in a bad ground.
Author:  bonenct [ Wed Oct 21, 2015 8:48 am ]
Post subject:  Re: no dsh lights on 280zx
Hey Frank. I did a search already on google an got the same thing you pulled up but none of them have the dash light tail light wiring diagram.
Author:  Frank T [ Wed Oct 21, 2015 9:59 am ]
Post subject:  Re: no dsh lights on 280zx
OK, if I undrstnd your yr/model correctly, this diagram should cover your needs.

http://www.autozone.com/repairinfo/repa ... 5280071e43

Scroll down to diagram #35. In the upper left corner you'll zee a block showing that the pink, red/yel and red/wht lines should ALL be hot at all times, and they all work off 20A fuZes.

Frank
Author:  bonenct [ Fri Nov 06, 2015 7:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: no dsh lights on 280zx
Finally got a chance to work on the car. Ended up being the collum combo switch. Took it apart an added some solder to the contact so it could now make contact. Worked like a charm. Even bitching Betty was telling me the lights are on lol
Page 1 of 2 All times are UTC - 5 hours
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
http://www.phpbb.com/