Headlights gone and other stuff

[Zs-ondabrain]

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?

Yup, use the search function. This subject has been written about several times and documente like crazy.

Good Luck,

Dave

[Zs-ondabrain]

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

Check the 3 wire connector on the Turn signal switch. There should be a Red/yellow, a red/ white and a smaller red/black? Check the connections there and at the white switch on the T/S switch body, which also has those same red/yellow and red white wires. Those are the Hi and Low beam wires.

Also use an ihms meter to see if the switch is working properly.

Dave

[kjphilippona]

I have not had a chance to look at the wiring or test the switch, just thinking ahead, if one ore both switches are bad, can i replace it with one from another year 280Z ? Can i have them rebuilt ?

Edited November 6, 2009 by kjphilippona

[Zs-ondabrain]

I can rebuild or replace them, email me at wolfin32z@yahoo.com

[travlnman]

I just fixed this same problem today ! IT was not the switch in my case. It was the fusible link under the hood. There is one there, just for the lights. Mine had a dark corrosion on it. Five minutes with some scotchbrite, and voila' headlights work. Mine had become intermittent recently , working kinda when they wanted to. Last night, was at by bro in law's watching football, no lights to drive home . Found this problem today, so give it a look see. I had no current to the fuses, and certainly nothing at the switch, but my parking lights worked fine, tail lights worked fine. Sounds very similar.

[Reverend]

problem FIXED!! Thanks to MikeW's exellent pdf about how to clean combination switch! It only cost me 1$!! Now back in business!

[kjphilippona]

Thought I'd give my fusible link a look since the covers on this car were replaced with duck tape and cardboard. Links looked ok under one but when i examined the others the connectors were barely hanging on and broke as soon as i touched them. Are these special or just a piece of 8 gauge wire with connectors on either end ?

[travlnman]

Not sure on that one. Should be able to pick them up from Nissan. I would make sure I got the right thing. Electrical is not the place to be experimenting, hate to burn something out.

[theramz]

Thought I'd give my fusible link a look since the covers on this car were replaced with duck tape and cardboard. Links looked ok under one but when i examined the others the connectors were barely hanging on and broke as soon as i touched them. Are these special or just a piece of 8 gauge wire with connectors on either end ?

Fusible link means the material melts at a certain temperature. You can still get them from Nissan I think. You could replace them with an inline fuse if you don't mind being non stock. I think the fusible links are a little more forgiving on temporary surge loads.

Edited November 12, 2009 by theramz

[FastWoman]

You can get fusible link material from an auto parts store, but you'll probably have to put the connectors on it yourself. It has special high-temp insulation that won't melt or burn (much).

[kjphilippona]

Problem fixed, one of the wires on the dimmer switch had come un-soldered :classic:

Edited December 6, 2009 by kjphilippona