Not Grounded

[VaGuS510]

My front passenger side headlight is very dim on my 73 240z. I am sure it is a ground problem. Before i go tearing into anything I want to know where this light grounds. Does it ground on the actual mount or does it have a ground running to it, does the switch ground it? By the way, the other light works fine. Let me hear what you think.

[Arne]

On the 240Z the headlights are wired backwards from what is considered normal. There is a common hot lead, and a separate ground wire for both high and low beams that goes to the dimmer switch.

If your headlight is dim on both beams, the problem is likely in the power lead. If it is only dim on one beam or the other, suspect the dimmer switch.

[a7dz]

Before I got too excited I would look at the fuse panel and make sure the fuse that powers the right head light is not corroded or the holder burnt. Also make sure the rivets holding the fuse clips in are tight and the wires to them are not loose. The power to the head lights comes from two different fuses. Also look to see if the terminals in the connector at the head light it self are clean. After that it is chasing through the harness until you find the source of resistance.

[Pir0San]

check your fuse boxes, my headlights were doing the same thing yours were, I bought new fuses, and the problem went away instantly!

[jackboxxx]

Before I got too excited I would look at the fuse panel and make sure the fuse that powers the right head light is not corroded or the holder burnt. Also make sure the rivets holding the fuse clips in are tight and the wires to them are not loose. The power to the head lights comes from two different fuses. Also look to see if the terminals in the connector at the head light it self are clean. After that it is chasing through the harness until you find the source of resistance.

had the same issue recently,

It turned out the terminals holding the left headlight fuse were stretched out...

not gripping the fuse tightly, resulting in a very dim light. once fixxed, the problem went away.

I found this only after looking everywhere else including pulling the headlight buckets...

[TomoHawk]

While you're at it in the fuses, get yourself a can of both DeOxit D-5 and D-100, First use the D-100 to get the majority, if not all, the corrosion off, then a light spritz of the D-5 to preserve & lubricate the connection. Anytime you are into connectors & fuses do this. Eventually you'll get them all.

[Zs-ondabrain]

SALES PLUG..

Sounds like a great time to buy the headlight upgrade harness for your baby.

JM2C

Dave.

[sblake01]

Actually sounds like back to back sales plugs. Tomohawk, do you own DeOxit stock or what?

[TomoHawk]

No. Just sharing some very useful experience, like everybody else does.

[VaGuS510]

i forgot that i posted this, I was on little sleep when i did it. Thanks for all the replies, i think i can figure it out from here.

[VaGuS510]

just chacked the fuses again and believe it or not the fuse was broken. The metal was broken and so if i pushed it together it worked. I replaced it and all is well. It looked good and didn't respond when i previously twisted it. I am glad it was this simple. Thanks again.

[TomoHawk]

I always say "everything is simple." I just hate it when people decide to complicate it.

Simple, like a broken fuse...