1973 240Z Electrical Problem?

[zman112233]

I just got a 73 240Z and I'm having a problem with the interior lights. The dash lights sometimes cut off when the following things happen:

Hit a hard bump

Turn on the left blinker

Just randomly

More often than not it will just randomly cut off.. they will eventually come back on. When the lights go out the orange choke light will come on. One thing to note: The previous owner installed a CD player and it works great and always stays powered on while the rest of the dash lights go out.

I am new to all this and really do appreciate any help anyone can give.

[Ramses]

Do you have access to a wiring diagram from a shop manual? I would start there. I had something similar happen, but it was my combination switch that was going out.

Good luck.

[naviathan]

With dash lights it's usually the dimmer switch. Pull it out, clean it with some contact cleaner, spary it really good with compressed air and make sure everything is tight and clean the re-install it.

[blueyedwolf71]

I had the same problem with the dash lights. Mine turned out to be just the fuse connection. When I had no dash lights there was no tail lights either. I troubleshot it going down the road and turned the fuse. As soon as I turned the fuse I had both tail and dash lights. A bit of emery cloth and a new fuse totally fixed the problem.

Go to autozone's web site there is a good wiring schematic there you can download.

Good luck,

Rob

[zman112233]

Just so everyone knows: I replaced all the fuses in the fuse block and everything works great now!

[beandip]

Just a helpful hint . Any time you suspect a fuse , don't just look to see if it is burned . Remove it and check it with a meter. Sometimes they look good and are not. Sure saves a bunch of work searching all through the wiring and connectors and finely finding that the first place you looked was the problem. Gary

[zman112233]

UPDATE: I repaced the fuses and the dash lights come on. The problem now comes when I turn my blinker on. When I make a right hand turn the blinker light won't flash and all the dash lights go out. I have noticed sometimes I can wiggle the wiper switch and the lights come back on. Anyone else ever had this problem? I'm in the process now of replacing the fuse block. Any idea why the lights go out when I turn the blinker on? Thanks guys!

[Ramses]

I would check the combo switch and the connections to the switch. On my '73 the wires were so brittle that every time I tried to turn on the blinkers or blow the horn, the lights went out. It was very confusing until after I removed the column and started jiggling the wires in the column. I found several shorts in the wiring harness and some sloppiness in the combination switch. Good luck. Sounds like we all have to go through some messy electical stuff when we tear apart our babies.

[Montezuma]

And if it is the combo switch it is best to get it rebuild....a service that is offered by a fellow boad member. My 73's combo switch is not working proplerly I am sending out this weekend to be rebuild.