1974 260Z Dash Lights Not Working

[cebu]

I changed my speedometer and my dash lights went out is it because of the different spedo or is it a fuse?

[Zs-ondabrain]

most likely a fuse problem. The parking lights are usually on the same circuit so if they are still operating, it may not be a fuse but the dimmer under the dash. Also known as a Potentiometer. It's 33 yewars old and you may have shorted it out in the process of the "swap".

Check the other lights, the dimmer and ALL fuses in the fuse box, both visually and with a ohms meter.

Let us know what ya find,

Dave.

[cebu]

The dimmer is not conected. where does it conect?

[280~Master]

Did you remove the dash?

Did you put new bulbs in?

Did you check the fuses?

Are all the wires connected (right)?

Is the battery connected?

Does the car still start and run?

more exact info needed to give better advice.

[cebu]

Never removed the dash

never put new bulbs in

checked every fuse 4 times

the dimmer wire is not conected

the bettery is connected

the car starts and runs great this is my only problem

[Zs-ondabrain]

not knowing the 260Z's that well, my best advice it to look for similar plugs in that general area. It most likely got disconnected in the fight to R & R the gauges.

Dave.

[cebu]

I cant find it any where i dont think its there, but would it plug into the spedo? or would the new speedo have any afect on it?

[Zs-ondabrain]

the dimmer is usually located under the Tach but I know 240Z's, not 260Z's. I can imagine that it would plug into the Speedo, on any car.

The plugs have to be there somewhere. keep looking.

good luck,

Dave.

[beezee]

There's a two wire plug in the speedo harness that plugs into the light dimmer - resister Wire colours red with blue tracer and black This is looking at a 260 speedo

[TomoHawk]

If it's like a 280Z, then the dimmer control's connector is a 2-pin white plastic connector under the left eyeball vent. The mating connector to the dash lights should be nearby. You will probably need a light to crawl under there and look for it- there's a big mess under there! (At least mine is.)

This is a good incentive to get yourself a copy of the wiring diagram for your car, especially if you intend to keep it a long time.

thxZ

[cebu]

Ok i connected the dimmer to a plug on the speedo and its still not working what do i do know?

[TomoHawk]

"to a plug on the speedo??" I hope you didn't fry your speedometer!

The dimmer control doesn't have a plug that goes to the speedometer. It goes to a mating plug that's in a nearby group of wires. If that's what you did, and the light still doesn't work, you might try bypassing the dimmer control. You'll need a wiring diagram to see which pin to use, then connect it to ground. Then if you still don't have any lights, you're in trouble...