Headlights gone and other stuff

[Reverend]

Just got my 72 240Z. All the other lights work fine, but for some reason i cant get any headlights. I measured the current from fuse box and from the headlight connector in front. No current at all. Someone suggested that soak the fuse box in vinegar, i'll do that ASAP.

But there is also another problem that might be related to this. The switch in steering wheel. It's acting strange, when i put the lights on, most of the time it works but not all the time. When i roll it on/off few times it starts to work again.

All the wires are good and connected.

:stupid:

Also the ignition switch has some issues. Sometimes when i start the engine it tries to start and CLUNK after that it wont start till you have removed battery cables and put them back.

All the other electrics works fine: heater, fan, lights inside dash, flasher...

[FastWoman]

It sounds like a lot of corrosion and crust. Your headlight switch takes a lot of abuse from the high current, so it might be feeling it right now. If you get your headlight switch cleaned up a bit, you can install headlight relays, which are gentler on the switch and which will give you brighter lights. I'm not laying all this on the headlight switch. You probably have crusty/corroded contacts throughout your car.

[Reverend]

I removed the fuse box and inspected all the surfaces. It was like straight from the shop, no sign of corrosion at all. 37 years old and in that good condition!

All the fuses were also connected from rear.

But i found this one wire with nothing to attach. Any idea?

it is on the top right

[Reverend]

Halp?

[EScanlon]

Fog Lamp Switch Connector.

See:

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23465

E

[Mikes Z car]

I had to try switching the headlight switch on and off a few times the night I got my 240 to get the headlights to work. Probably needed to break through corrosion in the headlight switch. Maybe if you switched your headlights on and off a bunch of times it might start working.

[Oiluj]

Check the bullet plug connector on the light switch harness at the steering column. (Under the steering colum cover). On my 1972, it's the large gauge white wire with, (if I recall correctly), a red stripe. On mine the bullet plug wasn't fully engaged in the socket and I had similar symptoms.

[Reverend]

I checked the connector, it was fine. Actually all the contact surfaces were out-from-the-factory condition! Car is 37 yrs old and no corrosion!

I managed to get the headlights working for a moment while i was turning headlight switch on/off. I did it multiple times and 90% of time it didnt work. So where to look next?

[dimitri_zee]

I'd be checking the headlight switch with a multimeter with the "continuity" setting that beeps when a curcuit is complete. You just have to make sure there is no power at the switch; just unplug it and test the headlight switch on it's own. If the contacts are worn after 37 years of switching, you may need another one. Or even better, try another second hand one and see what happens. Just a thought.

[Reverend]

Ok, thanks for the info. But all the other lights work perfectly, that's teasing me. All the contacts on the lightswitch harness were fine,at least externaly. Also the wiring was in mint condition. Maybe i need to renew the tin on contacts?

[Reverend]

I checked the combination switch with multimeter. There is WR wire coming in and R going out. When lights not on, WR: 11volts, R:0volts. Lights on WR 11volts R:10.8volts. So the combination switch is either dirty or broken. I get normal readings on fuse box when lights on.:ogre:

Any suggestions for cleaning the combination switch?

[kjphilippona]

I have a crazey light problem, i get no headlights when you turn the switch on, flip the high beam and lights come on ?