Headlights, no brights

[superfunk]

Ok, I got both my headlights working, high and low beams... YEAH!

But it cost me.....

I lost my tail lights.

My turn signal will only work with my headlights off.

The tail lights used to work, I'm gonna do a bunch more investigating to get that straightened out. But the turn signal has kinda got me confused... Does that sound like a Combo Switch problem to you?

Thanks,

Adam

[Zs-ondabrain]

Now is a good time to start thinking about my combo/T/S service that I provide along with the headlight and parking light upgrade harness's that I make. The links are below.

Or email me at wolfin32z@yahoo.com

As for the parking light situation, The problem with electrical systems in a Z are this........ If you fix one problem, you WILL have another arise.

I'll have to ponder this one for a while.

Dave.

[superfunk]

I pulled my combo switch out today.

I gave it a quick test, and everything seemed to be working. My Ohm meter isnt all that precise, but it was showing zero for the connections im concerned with. My question is about the tail lights (i guess thats the same circuit as parking lights). There is a power wire going to the headlight side that connects when I turn on the headlights. Then there are two green wires on the other side of the switch. They connect at the parking light and headlight positions. The power does not go to these wires. This is correct right?. Where does the power come from for this circuit. Is it the same power supply as the front marker lights? If so, where, physically in the car, do these circuits split from front to rear.

Also, I just noticed a sort of dimmer switch under the dash to the right of the steering wheel. Does this control the intensity of the interior light only? Its not in my wiring diagram (chilton).

Any input on these points would be appreciated

Thanks,

Adam

[Zs-ondabrain]

try testing that same circuit whe you press on the brake peddle. Reason I say this is because your brake wire goes into the turn signal switch and is then split into 2. one for the left blinker and one for the right blinker. The T/S switch reverts them towards the blinker module. That may be the split you are thinking about.

The Rheostat (Dimmer) switch is located under the dash to the right of the steering column. It only controls the dash lights. I don't know what book my diagram is out of but the "Rheostat is shown on the top of the diagram, a little right of center. It's a small circle with 2 wires coming out of it.

The parking lights are shown as a green/blue wire for the front and green/white for the rear and they most likely split near the right kick panel connections.

Dave.

[vercingetorix]

Dave,

I was driving the other night without fear thanks to your harness's.

But when I hit the brights everything went black. I had to pull over because they wouldnt switch back to low. Then for no reason they came back on but on low beam. Any ideas? Stock dimmer relay maybe?

Because your harness's work so well I drive at night all the time, but this kinda wierded me out.

Best,

H Houghton

[Zs-ondabrain]

My best guess would be the HI/LOW beam switch. It's a teeter / totter type switch. It works on the same principle as a regular toggle switch but uses needle slider that is spring loaded.

What happens is you pull back on the handle and it slides to the other side or contact. But because it's a teeter/totter switch, it can get stuck in the middle because of the groove that gets worn in there over time. It sounds like your switch got stuck and then fell back to the low beam position.

My switch service would likely cure that problem. Just keep this in mind. You may have MY harness's NOW but how many years did your Z have full power going thru the switches before the harness install.

My Z is 37 years old in August, And it went 34 years in the stock set-up. So after I installed the upgrade, The switches got refreshed and definately needed it. It's only $35 for the service or $200+ for a new set.

Dave.

[vercingetorix]

Dave,

Is that $35 for both sides or for just the dimmer turn signal side? I probably ought to just do both as they must be equally tired.

Best,

H Houghton

[Zs-ondabrain]

It's $35 for the set, Both combo and the T/S switch as a pair. Ship them to me, I do my thing, then ship them back. Email me at wolfin32z@yahoo.com and I'll give you all the shipping and payment info.

Dave.

[vercingetorix]

Dave,

PM'd you.

Best,

H Houghton

[vercingetorix]

Dave,

The refurbed switches came today,I got them in this afternoon and have been driving tonight! All the detents on the headlight side are massivley crisp and positive, blinkers return now without help,dimmer works perfectly!!

Great job,outstanding workmanship!! Hard to believe the difference.

Thanks Again,

H Houghton

[Zs-ondabrain]

No problem Sir. Glad to be of service and happy to hear everything is working the way it should.

Dave.