'77 280z headlights wiring diagram

[jthill3]

I've got the shop manual for my car that has a wiring diagram in it but was wondering if anyone knew of a better (easier to read) headlights wiring diagram for my '77 280z 5-speed....

I replaced my combo and dimmer switches (thanks Dave!) and it works great but there is a bug somewhere in the rest of the wiring on my car that causes the lights not to come on at times......

Thanks

[SteveJ]

Here is a description of the circuit that I put on another website:

This is how the schematic of the Combo Switch works: In position Off, no contacts are made. In Position 1, only contacts 1 and 2 are made. In position 2, contacts 1 & 2 are made, and contacts 19 and 20 are made. Contacts 1 & 2 are for your parking/running lights. Contacts 19 & 20 are for your headlights. 12VDC+ comes into the switch on the White wire with Red strip (W/R) at contact 19. This is regardless of key position (unswitched source). The 12VDC+ goes out the Red wire ® at contact 20. The Red wire goes to the fuse box where it is split between two fuses. The fuse with the Red wire goes out to the right headlight. The Red wire with Yellow strip (R/Y) goes out to the left headlight.

There are two possible return paths for the headlights. One is a Red wire with Black strip (R/B), and the other is a Red wire with White strip (R/W). The return path is determined by the position of the high/low beam switch that is integrated into the turn signal switch. The switch will make contact with either the R/B or R/W wire. The other contact in the switch is tied to ground. This ground ties back over to the Combo Switch and goes out as a Black ( wire.

Can you give more details on what you mean by "the lights not to come on at times"? Have you noticed certain conditions? What accessories are running? Can you replicate it at will?

I could possibly help you if you want to drive it up to Forsyth County.

[jthill3]

My switches were gone and then we found a melted wire using Steve's diagrams.

Thanks guys!!!!!

[SteveJ]

The important questions are

1. What wire melted? Can you identify the colors?

2. Why did it melt? Just replacing the wire can lead to the problem coming back, possibly worse. Electrical fires aren't fun.

[jthill3]

The important questions are

1. What wire melted? Can you identify the colors?

2. Why did it melt? Just replacing the wire can lead to the problem coming back, possibly worse. Electrical fires aren't fun.

I should have said that one of the wiring harness connectors had burned out, meaning that the male/female had loosend over the years so that when current was run through there is sort of "arched" and eventaully burned up.

Thanks for all the help guys.

[SteveJ]

Vintage connections has replacement connectors that would work for you. I have purchased from this site and was very pleased with the products.