She doesn't start (electrical?)

[RayG1988]

I own a 1974 Datsun 260z w/L28et out of an 82. I'm currently overwhelmed with electrical problems. I've had quite a few in the past, but this one's the worse. My fusible links recently burned out. I traced the problem to the distributor and I replaced the cap as well as the rotor which were pretty much melted. I figured I would just swap over the fusible links from my 79 280zx and call it a day and get back to having fun with the 260z. However, I don't think I can swap them at all. I currently can't start the car at all, it doesn't even crank up. The starter is brand new and spins just fine (the old screwdriver trick). There's no crank whatsoever, all you hear is a really faint click. I tested for current, and while my fusible links look burned out and rusted the light from the tester still turns on indicating that they still work?

I just can't seem to find the problem. I thought it was the fusible links, but as messed up as they are they still test out okay so I refuse to order maxifuse (short on money) until I know for a fact they're the problem.

Here's some pictures of the fusible links:

Can anyone help me with this? The 260z is my DD and I've been having to bug my dad everyday as well as bug my friends and I really don't like relying on others for my transportation. I've tried everything in my power to try to fix these but my knowledge just isn't vast enough to cover my current issues.

I thought about switching everything over from the 280zx:

But after I got everything ready I couldn't pull it off the car so I proceeded to attempt disconnecting it from the inside of the car.

Which I haven't been successful at btw...

Sorry if I offended anyone, I'm not demanding help. I'm just completely overwhelmed and I tried searching on hybridz as well as zdriver and this site for answers and I just can't find any so I figured I'd post this up. Thanks in advance to any of you who decide to lend a helping hand.

[RayG1988]

Just wondering if this is a really rare problem so it's hard to diagnose, or if no ones answering because the 260z has an L28et and this is a "purist site" '

[geezer]

Just wondering if this is a really rare problem so it's hard to diagnose, or if no ones answering because the 260z has an L28et and this is a "purist site" '

Doubtful that it is a "really rare problem", but I would have to agree with "hard to diagnose". Most cars that are driven have varying degrees of commonality with a purists values, and most of us that frequent this site are not "purists", but do understand & admire the dedication of those who are. I think the problem here is the difficulty of coming up with a diagnoses without having the car in front of you. There looks to be a lot of damage and degregation on your harness. Hopefully you have a good wiring diagram because you will need it. You will have to take this job 1 wire at a time, looking for damage, shorts to ground, etc. You will need to take resistance readings with your ohmeter to find the "weak links". It looks like an overwealming task, but if you take it one circuit at a time, you will find the faults and be able to repair them. There is no "magic bullet" answer to your problem, just many hours of studying the wiring diagrams, testing the cicuits and repairing the defects you find. Don't just settle for just getting it running, continue with freshening up your harness to avoid future problems.

[EScanlon]

I agree with Ron.

It seems as though this site's reputation has primed your expectations and blown them out of proportion. You also might re-consider how you "demand" an answer. While many of us are "purists", many of us are not. But you don't get much help by insulting first.

You provide a series of photos, showing extensive meltdown damage and pretty much the same items from different angles, then you show us a different car that is your proposed donor for parts and your trouble in removing the parts and expect those of us here to magically come up with an answer overnight? That's what it would have to be....magic.

I don't think anyone here or at any of the other sites will be able to come up with a "Plug-N-Play" fix for you....except maybe replace the whole harness, and I'm not sure that that would do it. Something caused that problem, and I'm thinking it might have been a new stereo, or some other poorly installed "upgrade" that caused it.

The wiring going to the fusible link holder is showing an extensive and, IMO, a complete meltdown. I don't think that simple replacement of parts is going to fix this. Those fusible links are safety items, they're designed to melt when trouble appears. One of those fusible links looks suspiciously like 10/12 gage wire (Black/White) wire. If that's the case, then there was NO fusible link in that circuit and the result was catastrophic. What your picture shows is a perfect example of why you should NOT use plain wire instead of a properly gaged fusible link.

You might be able to remove the harness, unwrap it, and then proceed to replace the burned out wiring, but it's also possible that it melted other wires that are now making contact with each other, and they shouldn't be. It's impossible to tell from pictures if it's repairable or not.

Sorry, but easy fix....nope.

2¢

E

[sblake01]

Just wondering if this is a really rare problem so it's hard to diagnose, or if no ones answering because the 260z has an L28et and this is a "purist site" '

For me, that statement would be true except for the words "and this is a "purist site". I have lots of experience diagnosing factory EFI setups but that obviously isn't a factory setup. I would just be guessing. And, yes I'd call it a rare problem as I've never come across a 260Z with an L28ET in my travels.

[RayG1988]

Thanks for the responses. Replacing my harness is exactly what I didn't want to hear because it's pretty hard to come across an L28et wiring harness here in Central Florida. And going through it piece by piece is just as hard to do. I appretiate the responses though.

[RayG1988]

Gah...yeah the wiring is poorly done. Mind you I bought the car like that and I've slowly been trying to fix a lot of the wiring issues. Guess my best choice is to get one of those custom harnesses so I can actually know what everything is. Problem is I'm low on money right now. I'll try unwrapping it and seeing what I can do. Again the help is very much appretiated. Over by the 10/12 gage wire theres no current, meanwhile the fusible link underneath still get current so theres hope for the Z yet. Problem is the box thing that holds it is burned out.

[geezer]

Ok, here is my read on this particular problem. Although a 1982 L28et in a 1974 260Z can be called "rare" as Steven points out, that is not how I am looking at it because the engine was changed out along with the harness and in essence should be diagnosed as a L28et using the appropriate wiring diagram, no matter what chassis it sits in. Looking at the pictures, I get the impression that most of the damage is in the local of the fusible links, and as Enrique mentioned the wire that was used in place of the fusible link, could have created more damage in the circuit. That very well could be the root of problem, but there is no way to tell without individualy testing each wire and subsequent circuit. I do not have a wiring diagram for this but I'm guessing that a few 40Amp maxi fuses could be substituted in place of the fusible links. I have done this in other vehicles by simply using the correct sized terminals that clip onto the spades of the maxi fuse and then heat shrink and tape into the harness with the maxi fuse still visible. Works well, is cheap enough and is easily replaced if nessesary.

[RayG1988]

Thats what I originally intended on doing if I couldn't swap over everything from the 280. The thing is I can't find anyone selling maxifuse locally and I didn't want to send money to Canada because of delays at customs, etc. (Atlantic Z) I was pretty sure that was the problem but Steven kind of scared me when he told me the whole harness might have gone bad.

Again thanks for the quick responses, I seriously hope I can make myself useful on this forum. For now though I'm still a major n00b.

[geezer]

Do you have the wiring diagrams you need? What can you tell us about the instrument panel harness? You may need another diagram for that. Find out how many fusible links you would be replacing and their amperage values and then go to most any good automotive parts supplier for them. Save fuel, use the phone book.

[geezer]

There are many variations of maxi fuses, but I find the orange colored ones in the pic the easiest to adapt to most harnesses. Just hunt down some proper sized wire terminals, crimp onto the wires, heat shrink and wrap into the harness leaving the test cavities visble and accessable. I thought I had a boatload of these left but this is all I could find.

[RayG1988]

I have a Chilton's manual with diagrams for the 240z up until the 300zx, I think I'll be covered for the wiring, at least I'd hope so. Everything on the 260z is stock except for the stock L28et which also has the wiring harness with crappy wiring. Other than that, the only other thing would be the boost gauge a CD player along with two door speakers and an electric fan which is actually connected up directly to the battery with a relay inside the car.

Instrument panel harness should be the original, unless it's a staple to change it during the L28et swap. I believed he followed the guide step by step.