74' 260z Electrical issues! Headlights/tach

[Mytralalas260]

Just recently bought a 1974 260z ((11/73) if that helps) that has a couple problems that i have to remedy before i can inspect for insurance.

Currently its a runner driver in amazing shape! not a spec of rust anywhere garage queen Although... there are a couple little problems...

Headlights - Will not come on with switch, all other lights work, markers, guages and even highbeams. just not the darn lowbeams. HELP

Also my tach doesnt like to work, it jumps around here and there, did work for just a second on an incline, until i started moving.

It has the electric antenna, i'm not sure how any electical works in this car, its my first Z so any help is appreciated!

my email is speedster26019@hotmail.com if you wish to contact me.

Kevin

Edited August 15, 2009 by Mytralalas260

[Walter Moore]

The headlight switches are notorious for having contact problems. You may have to clean it or replace it to get the lights to work.

(Often people have the problem that they work until you hit the high beams, then go out. Normally cycling the main headlight switch off and then back on resets the problem.)

The tachometers fail fairly often as well. Use the forum search tool to find all the threads on that subject.

There should be a switch near the radio to raise and lower the antenna I think.

[Mytralalas260]

Found out what was wrong with my headlights... ran around with the voltmeter for a while... Lacking a constant ground. passenger headlight lost ground right after plug, so just manually grounded it and they work fine.

it was having to do with my highbeam switch >.<

[IdahoKidd]

Thanks for the followup. It really helps those of us following along with similar issues trying to find the solutions. It amazes me at times how much these cars and the early fuel injected volvo's have in common. Must be the technology of the times I guess. It also amazes me how frustrating it is to find the root cause and then how simple a lot of the fixes are.

Edited August 17, 2009 by IdahoKidd

[z74z90]

IdahoKidd...the '74 260Z was the last year for the twin SU type carbs. And the older Volvos had twin SU's apparently. So, I absolutely agree with your Volvo comment...the best old Z mechanics around here are the old Volvo mechanics! In the 60's my best friend had a 544 sedan that we drove the crap out of....

[Mytralalas260]

The thing is, now I've been reading about the possible tach problems and its becoming a concern when i get a chance i will check the connection to coil ect, but if that's not the issue what are my options?

I am restoring this car 100% original for collector plates so ideally i would like to use the same tach... with a small budget.

Options..? this is my first Z

Kevin

[IdahoKidd]

When Datsun went to the fuel injection, Volvo did too. I haven't ever figured out if Datsun calls there's "D-Jet" as does Volvo with the Bosch system, but each system has the same parts with largely the same names and almost all of the same systematic problems. Kind of fun finding a solution on this site to fix my other car with the same symptoms. 80% of the time it is a grounding issue of some sort, just a matter of locating it.

The car in my avitar is my 57 Volvo 444 K. As soon as the Orange and white 240 is finished, I'll get a pic and change it for this site. Politically correct and all : )