240Z Wiring problems starting to annoy me.

[yoogener]

Nobody has really responded to much posts about problems involving 70-71 body harness with 72-73 dash and switches. And I can't seem to find threads on that subject.

I have a '71 body and turn signal switch with a '73 dash and headlight switch.

The turn signal was inconsistent in operation and headlights would not work. People said that a '72 or '73 turn signal switch would fix the problem. So I got a '72 turn signal switch and the problem was exactly the same. When I turn the key on, the headlights will come on even when the headlight switch is off; turn signals were still inconsistent; brake lights and hazard won't work. SO I assume the turn signal switch wasn't the problem. If not, then what can it possibly be? I'm so fed up with this problem! I just want to drive my car! I am desperate for a solution.

[SteveJ]

Let's go back to the basics.

Have you inspected your wiring harness? Is the harness completely original and unmolested?

Did you or a previous owner ever install an alarm system?

For your turn signals, have you inspected all of the parking light and turn signal sockets for corrosion?

[Arne]

The 240Z headlights work by switching the ground, not the power supply. So you have something grounding the wiring somewhere in the switch or it's connections. When the headlights come on with the switch, do they come on high beam, or low beam? (Or, heaven forbid, both?)

[yoogener]

When I turn the key on, the low beams will stay on.

When I turn on the headlight switch, the low beams stay on. (No difference)

The high beams will not come on unless the low beam is switched on, but when I do that, the alert buzzer will come on.

It makes no sense to me. =(

ps: I got this harness from a parts car that was recently totalled only on the front, so no damage was done to the dash or harness itself. I'm thinking that the '73 dash harness does not cooperate with the '71 body harness, yet others told me to just make sure that i have the '73 dash harness, turn signal switch and headlight switch. but that doesnt seem to solve my problem.

[Arne]

Buzzer comes on with the high beams? You've got some wires plugged into the wrong stuff somehow in the headlight switch and ignition switch. I'd disconnect everything and start over. Compare what you have with a wiring diagram for a '73 to verify which plugs into what. Remember that in many cases, the wire colors may not match.

[EScanlon]

If the 73 DASH harness you have, has the wiring for the Intermittent Wiper, then you ALSO need the 73 Headlight/Wiper Switch as well as the Engine Harness. That's because the Engine Harness has the plug for the wiper and also has the second half of the Seat Belt Warning system that the Dash has the front half for. The other component for the Seat Belt Warning system is the Rear Harness, as that has the wires that connect to the Seat Sensors and the Seat Belt Reel Sensors.

To check if you have the 73 Intermittent Wiper Harness, check the main plug for the combination (Light/Wiper) switch. If it is a 9 (Nine) THIN Spade connector, three by three arrangement; instead of being a 6 (Six) Spade connector (Regular width), two layers of three spade connectors; then it IS the Intermittent Wiper Harness.

You will have ALL sorts of fun trying to get this harness to work with the engine compartment's harness.

As Arne mentioned, that you have a warning buzzer going off....(and I'm not familiar with an ALERT buzzer, Seat Belt, Key-In yes, but not an Alert) means you definitely have some cross connecting going on that shouldnt be.

Check your grounding cross-connect at the combination to turn signal as well as the other cross connections there.

Hope this helps.

Enrique

[yoogener]

I do have the '73 headlight/wiper switch and the problem exists, so I guess there is cross-connecting going on.

I'm gonna have to take the dash back out and start over, as Arne said.

Thanks for all your help, guys. I'll be back with more tears soon.