Electrical problems after restoration...?

[ZSaint]

I have completed my restoration of my 2/71 240Z. The car was totally disassembled and now has been reassembled. I have connected the battery cables and have the following problem: No ignition! I have lights and running lights, I have an amp gauge that works and a lighter. But, no power to the starter or the ignition. My turn signals and radio also do not have power. What did I forget to "plug-in"? :paranoid:

[ZSaint]

Someone have any ideas on my power shortage? I plugged in all of the connectors and put the ground straps on. Something is missing. Where do I look?

[240ZX]

Have you tested the fusible link near the starter and the main chassis groung? Other than that, my only suggestion is to get out the old test light, multimeter, and schematic and start tracing down the circuits. Pain in the butt, but sometimes thats all that can be done. Some issues I ran into during my redo, were that some of the connectors appeared to be fine, but upon close inspection revealed 30+ years of corrosion! So some cleaning and some connector replacement was in order. Electrical problems can be trying at best......good luck and tell us what you find!

[EScanlon]

There are a BUNCH of ~possibilities~ which would take all day just to pin-point.

Start with the utmost basics, even though you're convinced that the problem "isn't there, so no need to check".

Check the battery cables, both to ground and the starter. The fusible link going to the starter. The ground strap, and any connection to the body that is now freshly painted and possibly (probably) not making contact.

You mention that you've taken the car apart and put it back together, did you by chance take the time to clean all the connections on the electrical harnesses?

Then start at the passenger kick panel. Disconnect one of the larger plugs and make sure that it connects ALL the connections properly and that they look at least CLEAN. Either that or at least plug and unplug a couple of times to at least scrape SOME of the corrosion off.

Then begin ops-checking. This should really be done as the car is being re-assembled not afterwards, but you're here now.

You mention you have lights, but no turn signals. Does the flasher unit work?

As you can see, the answer to what you ask isn't ONE post, it's LOTS of posts.

Good Luck

Enrique

[seerex]

Just for laughs follow the leads from the fuse box after you have checked them for the items that do not work. Once you are sure you have power at the fuse box for the items that do not work retrace thece them back up the steering housing and go from there. If you do not have power at the fuse box for the Ignition, turn signals radio and such trace it back towards the battery . The fact that some things do work and some don't indicate to me that you have a plug not completely "clicking" or a bad ground as mentioned before. But if I were you I would start at the fuse box that way you can detirmine atleast if the problem starts in the pre or post side of the fuse box. Good Luck and I agree it might be any number of things . Good Luck

[ZSaint]

I believe my emergency flashers work. I like the idea of checking for power at the fuse box. If there is not power to the fuse, then it is one of the connectors. The starter works when I short the relay to the starter. I have all new battery terminals. The frame ground is all new with a new bolt and lock washer and plated flat washer. I will start checking it out tomorrow AM. Thanks for all of the advice. I will keep everyone posted. I will overcome!

[beandip]

So you dont' really have power to the starter , if you have to short accross the the relay to get it to turn . All that shows is that the battery is connected and there is power in the battery . Check the connections for crud. Make sure the connections at the stearing colum are connected correctly. Especially check all ground connections , you may have plated the washers but if there is paint inbetween then there is no or little connection to the body . Use a multi meter to check every fuze even if they look good . Gary

[ZSaint]

I will check out the steering column connections. I will also check the passenger side connections. I did not find any "crud" in the connectors and they all seemed clean. Maybe I simple did not get the connectors tight enough. I will re-check them all.

[ZSaint]

See following post, please!

[ZSaint]

I have power to the lighting system. I have headlights, running lights and emergency flashers. The dash lights work. The ammeter works. The W/S washer pump works. The clock and cigarette lighter work.....But the ignition switch does not have power. The dome light does not work, the turn signals do not work, the starter does not work, the radio does not work, the antennae doe not function and the brake lights do not work.

I have checked for power on the fuse box. I have power there on the last 2 fuses on the left/driver side and on the bottow 3 fuses on the passenger's side. It is the same with the ignition on or off.

I think I know of most of the grounds: The frame by the starter, the ground strap on the firewall, the lights at the rear of the car above the gas tank, the antennae. Where else?

It sounds to me like I have not hooked up a ground somewhere. Is there a ground wire under the dash? Could I have not hooked up the steering column wires? I just do not know where to look.

I cannot get the car to the auto electric place becasue it does not run. I am sorta trapped here without any knowledge of what to do. :disappoin

[xray]

If power is partially getting to the dash, then I bet there is poor connection at the junction between engine and dash harness over by the glove box. That may also explain why your ignition switch is not working. Of course, it could also be connections at the switch or at the starter as above mentioned. Unfortunately, the meter, a wiring diagram, and a bucketful of time and patience appear in order as you go through and doublecheck these and other connections...I grieve with you!

As far as under dash grounds, I know of three: top of brake pedal, behind accelerator and behind center heater bezel (page BE-3 of my 1973 FSM).

Keep us informed, and as always, good luck.

Steve

[ZSaint]

I am unfamiliar with your document. I do not have a Factory Service Manual. Can someone duplicate this page and forward it to me?

I will look at the connectors on the glovebox side. Hopefully it will be something simple and I can fix it, soon. I will keep you all posted.