Headlights worked, flashed and now wont turn on

[Cutlass372]

Hey guys, was messing with the car today and the headlights worked the entire time I was messing around. Went to put the car back in its spot, turned the lights on and they stayed on then flashed and wouldn't go back on. My first thought was the fuses, but the connections in both the headlight fuses are still fine. All the other lights on the car work but just the headlights don't seem to work. I was reading around on here and most people seem to say that there low beams die but the high beams still work. I will have to see if thats the case and I might run outside to try that now. I did have the ignition switch cover off, but I dont really think that effected it. What else could this be? The tach bounces all over the place as well so maybe thats something related? Any help would be great.

Thanks, Elliot.

[Cutlass372]

Ahh yes, also forgot to mention that the ignition switch in this car doesn't seem to work so I have a wire running from the coil to the positive on the battery and a wire from the solenoid on the starter that I tap on the positive to start it (how I got the car). I just went outside and had the car idling. Turned the lights on and all the running lights and rear lights came on, but no headlights. Hit the highbeams and they turned on but dim and then slowly faded and also all the running lights went off. When I turned the high beams back off, the running lights and rear lights came back on but still no headlights... Idk, I'm confused .

[beandip]

I really squinted HARD but I just cant see what year your Zs. After that you need to sort out the ignition key problem so you wont need the hot wire . One thing you will learn about fuses is that you cannot count on the sight glass to tell if they are good or not. Use a multi-meter. Likely cause of your problem is your multi switch.

[Cutlass372]

Sorry, its a 72 240z. The switch works though to turn on all the running lights and rear lights.

[Zs-ondabrain]

the headlight switch consists of a set of contacts. The first is for the parking lights and the second is for the headlights. The switch may be your colprit.?(spelling)

As mentioned, check the fuses manually, by hand. replace them with known good fuses. Then with the headlights on, jiggle the combo (headlight switch) maybe even tap the handle a little to see if the contacts jump to a clean spot, meantime keep watching the front of the car for the headlights to flash or come on.

If they flash or come on, it's time to rebuild the switches. I do that for a fee.

Let us know how it goes.

Dave.

[Cutlass372]

Ok so I was out messing with the car some more today and couldn't figure much out... The lights and stuff dont seem to work unless the car is on. I turned it on and I tested all the fuses and they are hot (tested with the light tester). I turn on the headlights and the fuses get hot but no low beams. Flip the high beams and they go on but very dim, I drove it around and when I hit the brakes they would die. Also when I hit the high beams the rest of the lights seem to dim down aswell. The only thing that doesnt seem to dim is the brake light. Rev the car and they bright up (altenator?). Do the headlights have seperate High and low beam bulbs in them? I might have popped them if they do.. Also my tach doesn't work anymore. It used to bounce around when you would rev it but now does nothing. It seems like everytime I start it something starts to work again or something stops working... I don't the switch is broken because the fuses light up for the headlights when the switch is turned on. Don't know where to turn from here.. Anyone?

[SteveJ]

Here is my 2¢.

First, either take apart both your switches (On/Off and Hi/Low Beam) and clean them or send them off to Dave (Zs-ondabrain) for his cleaning service. The contacts will get dirty/corroded over the years.

Next, look at the electrical system for corrosion. The Datsun Z Garage has good information on that under the section "Z problems".

After that, consider upgrading the headlight circuit to relay operation. You can buy the wiring from Dave as well. You can search on this site to see that Dave has lots of satisfied customers.

[Cutlass372]

Well... Possibly a new problem just happened as well.. Had the car running and it stalled out once(while idling). Started it up again with no problems and unplugged the headlight connectors and checked them for power. Both the Red and yellow(?) and red and white had power on both connectors. Red and black is high beams or ground (red and black didn't light up)? By the time I switched over to the passanger headlight one of the paddle on the connecter became dim on the test light (red and yellow I believe) while the other was still very bright (checked the other side and this had happened as well). As I was doing this though the car just sorta died suddenly and I couldn't get it started again (Hooked up my other car to jump it and it would just crank). I need a 240 guru to come over and help me out . Im too new to these cars and expecially with electrical stuff... I think when I get the money im going to buy a few things and maybe get the altenator rebuilt. Someone save me .

Thanks, Elliot.

[Cutlass372]

I think I might have just popped my low beams... and the alternator is so dead that its killing my battery. I just can't figure it out.. .

[Cutlass372]

ERRR! I can't get the car to start now. It just cranks. It gets fuel and im about to go check spark...