This switch is a bitch

[Fredzed]

I have a 80-280ZX Anniv. Special--Red and Black (1 of 500) today I broke the thermal switch!!! What does this switch do?

Before I broke it, the car was running beautifully, and now it is terrible--rough idle--blue gas smelling smoke--and I have to coax it to start. I need all the help I can get!!

Thanks very much

FredZed

[sblake01]

Please attach a picture of the broken switch. I'm not sure if you are referring to the thermotime switch or the thermal transmitter or something else. 80 and up electronics are slightly different from the 75-79 that I am used to.

[sblake01]

Never mind that last post. I now know what you're talking about (two threads and a pm later!). The 'thermal vacuum valve'. It's located just below and behind the air regulator. It has two vacuum connections on it. I don't know exactly what it does but it seems to be part of the egr system. I might even have one and if I do, you can have it for the cost of postage. I'll have to look through my stuff and see. Give me a day or two.

[Fredzed]

Hey SBlake01

You are right, that's the switch, but on my car it has three connections. But mine is a Canadian import, and now I have the only Red/Black 80-ZX anniv Spec. in Canada, and it won't run. I got a new switch, carefull replaced it, started it up and it ran very smooth for about 3 minutes, and then it began to sputter and choke and died. Once it has stopped, it's a bitch to re-start and when it does, it sounds like it is missing big time. All the electrical is new, as are the plugs and pretty well everything else.

Breaking this thermal unit was a bad thing! Something tells me it isn't the switch.

What do you think?

Fredzed

[sblake01]

Fredzed, I've sent you an email, in fact I've sent you two emails.

[marcia500]

Can't believe it but others have the same problem. We finally figured out the wire was broken and that is why the car won't run, just like the 80. I miss my car and I need that part and probably others. I replaced the ENTIRE fuel system from the pump all the way up to the injectors.

So where can I get this part?

I have owned by car for over 15 years and it has over 300,000 miles on the ORIGINAL block. It still runs like a bat out of.......

Thanks

Marcia

[sblake01]

marcia500, are any of these the item you're looking for? #1 is a 'thermal transmitter'. It sends the signal to the temperature guage. I don't think that's the one you want. #2 is the 'thremal switch' which is similar to what Fredzed was looking for when he initiated this post, but it's the 2 prong US version rather than the 3 prong Canadian version. #3 I don't know the name of but your description makes me think it's the item your're looking for. I recall that it came from a ZX parts car and it's an item not used on my 78 280Z or my 79 810. I sent your husband an email with the same picture.