brighter bulbs?

[the_cafe]

when its dark and im driving the zed i can't hardly see a damned thing. is there anybody out there that makes a brighter headlight bulb that will work with the zed that wont kill the electricals?

[Nissanman]

If you haven't already done so, check the voltage at the headlamp sockets.

Dull lights are usually caused by poor +12V supply voltage or bad grounding.

Use a multi-meter on VOLTS to measure the supply side of the lamp to the 12V battery -ve GROUND terminal.

It should read 12V or above [~13.8V] with the engine running.

Use it on RESISTANCE setting to measure the ground side of the lamp to the battery -ve GROUND terminal, with the car at rest i.e. key turned OFF.

The GROUND pins should not show any appreciable resistance to the 12V battery GROUND terminal.

Loss of voltage and/or high ground resistance is usually caused by dirty or burnt contacts, faulty fuse and the like.

There is a plethora of high output Halogen globes but they may not be any improvement if the electrical system is not in good condition.

Edited September 16, 2008 by Nissanman

[TomoHawk]

Before you go into new glassware for your lights, you need to make sure that the lights are getting all the juice possible. Clean all the connections (I use DeOxit 100 to clean, then DeOxit 5 to lubricate & protect.) to & from the fusepanel, the combination switch, under the hood, and at the lamp (if possible.)

Then, if the lamps are too dim, you might go looking into brighter lamps.

thxZ

[boktx]

One of the list members makes (or did a couple of years ago) a plug-in replacement harness for the headlights.

The kit was reasonably priced and fit perfectly.

It provided the relay and the proper molex(?) plugs to plug directly into the existing wiring harness. It allows for the 12V wire to be fed directly from the battery and only a low current wire to power the relay passes through the fusebox, etc.

I've been extremely happy with my kit. I bought 2, one for my Z and one for my father's. It fits perfectly, installed in less than 20 minutes, and is completely reversable.

Getting clean power to my existing lights made them much brighter and the Z is much more pleasant to drive at night.

[DeesZ]

One of the list members makes (or did a couple of years ago) a plug-in replacement harness for the headlights.

The kit was reasonably priced and fit perfectly.........

I got one of these, too. Excellent product and workmanship.

Check it out in the "Products" area on this site, or click on this link:

http://www.classiczcars.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=12&cat=7

[the_cafe]

well i think it got it made. thank you so very much for all ur suggestions. the grounds were caked in dust and mud and other crud from my adventures so i cleaned them and put diealectric grease and they are noticeably brighter. i read bout the wiring harness thing and it sounds to me that its only for the 240 zed.

[DeesZ]

Go easy on the dielectric grease... I'd use it to seal up the connector, not on the 'connection' itself.

Yes, he does state 240Z.... You may be able to convince him to do one up for a 280; I think the different connectors pose an availability problem for him..... maybe if you supply the parts? Who knows? It would be worth your while to check in with him if the problem pops back atcha.

Edited September 17, 2008 by DeesZ

[the_cafe]

Go easy on the dielectric grease... I'd use it to seal up the connector, not on the 'connection' itself.

Yes, he does state 240Z.... You may be able to convince him to do one up for a 280; I think the different connectors pose an availability problem for him..... maybe if you supply the parts? Who knows? It would be worth your while to check in with him if the problem pops back atcha.

thanks. i oughta re wire the whole damn thing with a crx harness. i read an article on somebody who used moded a crx harness into a zed. only have the time my signals work.

Edited September 17, 2008 by the_cafe

[TomoHawk]

After 1975, Nissan changed to the round AMP connectors for things that are exposed to the elements. AMP still makes connectors, but no one can figure out the part #s for the ones we use on the 280Z, and I have never seen anything compatible on newer cars.

Edited September 17, 2008 by TomoHawk

[the_cafe]

After 1975, Nissan changed to the round AMP connectors for things that are exposed to the elements. AMP still makes connectors, but no one can figure out the part #s for the ones we use on the 280Z, and I have never seen anything compatible on newer cars.

i will ask my local nissan dealer tommarow for the part numbers. i know its by a long shot but he hooked me up on some new datsun spark plugs which he said were rare so he might have em

[TomoHawk]

I doubt you will be able to get connectors from the dealer becaus they're so old & out of production probably- but you might get lucky.) I think your best bet would be tolook in old AMP Electronics catalogues and then look up the modern equivalent or maybe even ask at other general electronics suppliers or just some Internet searching for the generic equivalent(it probably won't mention Datsun ot Nissan, just something like 'automotive use.')

Edited September 17, 2008 by TomoHawk

[the_cafe]

i went to my nissan dealer and asked em. to my dismay she said she hadn't even heard of a 280zed before so i pointed to the 350zed in the showroom and i says its the ancestor of that car. she said the parts between the two dont interchange and they dont have parts for antique autombiles in their system anymore and to check at my local scap yard.:squareeye