Turn left-Headlights go out!

[martym]

Put on my left signal this morning in my 1977 280 2+2 and the headlights died. Not working still! Do I need to replace the entire switch assy or can I do something to repair or bypass the dimmer/turn signal? My dash lights have been in and out for weeks as well. Same circuit, can I bypass something?

Thanks

Marty

[zbane]

My dash lights have been in and out for weeks as well. Same circuit, can I bypass something?

Sounds to me like a bad connection(s). I would start by checking your fuses/relays.

If they are all good, check the actual wiring to your switches-maybe the PO messed something up.

[TomoHawk]

In a 280Z, there aren't any relays involved in the headlights or turn signals, so it looks like your problem is either in the switch or the connections. Check the ground wires first. You might try to patch the ground leg to see if each system works- that means a switch problem.

Do your switches 'feel' OK? No looseness, or broken bits inside?

[martym]

The right turn (flipping the turn signal up) is sloppy. Lights occasionally function by pulling the turn signal back like you are putting on the brights. I believe it is the switch but can't find one for sale that is quaranteed to work

[bloxman]

Well today is your lucky day.

I pulled apart my turn signal headlight dip switch in my 1975 280Z today as the brights were not working and my turn signals not working.

I was successfulin getting the brights workin (lights) no turn signals though.

I haven't given up though its just not the combination switch in that instance.

So I can probably help (advise) :

1)Yada yada usual safety stuff remove positive battery terminal.

2)Remove sterring wheel facia by undoing screws located beneath.

3)undo all clips below combination switch.. don't worry their kid proof. I think their was seven of them.You cannot connect a black to a red as they are male /female conections.

4)remove two screw that hold combination swith to steering shaft.

the screws are kinda on the left side running horizontal and are phillips heads.

4b)there is a black pair of connecters holding lights portion and turn signal portion of combination switches together. examine and remove the one black wire necesry to accomplish this.

Turn signal/dip switch

1) Remove the two screws that hold the long white plastic switch.

(To determine which of the two switches I refer to; pull back on lever like you wanted to turn on the brights.observe .

With the two screws removed withdraw the white plastic shaft (without bending) all the way out.

on the square end with the wires there are four tabs you must gently pry open loose (free). (really,really small flat blade screwdriver)

pull up(very gently), so as not to undo solder, on wires.

Look on bottom side when removed from white plastic

examione the bits that look like a twin set of rocker points, (looks kinda like a a teeter totter) .

Insert a fine bit of sandpaper or emory cloth between the contact surfaces.

Do both sides of both contact surfaces.

Scrape, little wire brush, emory or sand paper the back side of the teeter totter as well as this is the power inlet. . now look down in the other bit of the switch. There should be a little brass thing (tip) . If its green Clean it.

Then spray some wd40 in it for lubrication its an accentric cam they like lubrication (a little wee bit).

invert the points thing back into the switch and replace the two screws.

reinstall the combination switch in reverse order.

connect battery, turn on lights . voila

Whats happening;

The dip switch is a two way acccentric cam driven switch: either low beams or high beams.

if the teeter totter is inclined one way it sends power to the high beams, if its inclined the other way power is to the lows. every time you pull back on the turn signal its reverses the position.

If this is far too wordy and unclear I would be willing to take it apart again tommorrow step by step with decent photos.

Bloxman

[martym]

I turned on the light switch and pushed the turn signal down ever so gently and I got a smoke signal! F-R-I-E-D Took it apart and ordered a replacement combo for $100 new.

I love my Z