power windows

[280zx_guy43512]

Hi, I just bought home my first Z car ever. It's a 1983 280zx. I went 1100+ miles to get her. It had been sitting since 1992, but it's all original one owner car, and the power windows and the radio won't work. I Checked the fuses on the pass. side kick panel and they are all good. Is there any relays or anything else? the local auto parts store can't even get any parts, anyone know where I can buy 280zx parts?

[sblake01]

Welcome, and congratulations. I don't think there are any relays involved in the power window circuit other than the ignition/accessory relay. If that was bad you'd have other problems. There is a circuit breaker and a 'one touch' power window unit, as well as both motors. Also, the right side (sub switch) feeds through the left side (main switch), so if it's bad, it can keep them both from working. Hard to say what part isn't working. I would troublesoot it before I started buying parts if I were you. Electrical bits aren't cheap. There are tests in the service manual. Don't expect to find much as far as the specialty parts on those cars at local auto parts stores. Many are still available at the Nissan dealer. And there's always the junkyard as well as members of this site to help with parts. I'm not really a ZX guy though I've worked on a few of them. There are other here more knowledgeable when it comes to the ZX.

[sblake01]

I just looked at an old thread and according to Will:

The problem is not a fuse it is a circuit breaker! It is a small cadmium plated box with two wires coming out approx 1" x1.5" and it is bolted(or at least supposed to be) to the upper side of the passenger footwell. It is a universal part and about $3 to $8 depending on the retailer.

Take a look at these two scans. They show the circuit and the location of the circuit breaker.

[zbane]

Curious about one thing:

Is the radio original or after market? If it's after market, who knows what electrical lines were severed to get that working.

I agree with Stephen about the switches. Remove your door panels and check connections. I would wager that they are corroded and not making contact somewhere.

[sblake01]

One other thing. If you need a service manual, go to this site. He doesn't have an 83 manual yet but the 82 manual will help with the majority of issues you may run into.

[hls30.com]

Stephen,

You are on it-in 13 ZXs, this was the window problem on 12!

Now it is the first thing I check-2 seconds with a continuity tester(a battery, a piece of wire, and a light bulb-or a buzzer! light or noise-keep looking!

Will