'71 240z shuts off when lights turn on

[austinnelson117]

Hey everybody, so recently my 240 will shut off instantly when I turn on the lights and the battery is disconnected. They work with the battery connected but since they are running off the battery it sucks it dry. It just started doing this recently. I took the alternator to autozone its good. Battery reading 14 volts with car on. Other recent quirks, liscense plate lights come on with brake lights, and blinkers not working with lights on. Any ideas?

[olzed]

Sounds like a bad ground/earth somewhere.

[SteveJ]

Sounds like a bad ground/earth somewhere.

I agree. Download the 71 FSM Supplement from Xenons30.com and look at the wiring diagrams. Start around the steering column. While you're at it, buy the headlight relay kit & parking relay kit from Dave Irwin, aka Zsondabrain. Those kits will help prevent similar problems in the future.

[austinnelson117]

Alright thanks guys I'll check that out when I get a chance. Last night though something strange happened. The lights worked and were much brighter and the horn much louder. I didn't even do anything. But, still no blinkers with lights on.

[SteveJ]

Well, the path to ground for your headlights run through your turn signal switch. Vibration from driving can cause a loose wire to move. Yeah, start with finding the grounds for your headlights and moving toward your turn signal switch. By the way, Dave also has refurbished plenty of turn signal switches and combo switches, too.

[olzed]

You can get a better ground with dampness at night, and as Steve says, vibration can also make things seem better.

I recommend Daves headlight relay kit.