USA to UK light modification.

[sebby]

Hello Arne,

I suspected this might be how it worked. Still, it's not a difficult job to extend the indicator wiring up to the marker light.

Thanks for the warning.

[Lazeum]

When I've brought back the Z with me from the US, I had to modify the way lights were working also on mine.

I've purchased some Hella H4 headlight bulbs with extra position lights inside them. The size for headlights are very standard (7" ?) , most likely Beetle, Porsche 911, Renault 8, MG's etc have the same unit. The Hella unit is almost flat whereas stock unit is not; very subtle difference but there's one.

PN for Hella unit was 1A6 002 395-071 but it was designed for LHD vehicle, so pn might be different in your case.

Then, I've hacked the harness to bring power from the sidelights to the position lights inside the housing. It is a matter of splicing one cable from side light, hooking a new one up to the new bulb from the cut cable. You also have to route a ground signal. I took it straight from road lights inside the bulb where everything is sealed (= no corrosion possible); I've soldered a new wire & added a spade female connector that hooks up to bulb connectors.

Last one, for oil filter, don't go to Nissan, go to any automotive parts store. You can also go online, get one reference and get the entire list of compatible products. Here's what I have when I look for 280zx filters. I like Mann Filter.

Edited April 23, 2013 by Lazeum

[sebby]

Hello,

Thanks for the info, I'm pretty clear on wiring up the side lights, headlights and indicators, its getting rid of the day running lights that need thought. I'll have a go at the weekend. The point I was making about the oil filter, (oil filter given as an example, it's not something I need) is that local automotive stores here don't stock anything or even have any part numbers to any Z car (other than 300ZX). Maybe France is different. Having not had the car long, I still need to learn what's mechanical parts are interchangeable between the early and later Z cars.

Interesting about the Hella headlamps, I've purchased some standard units and hope there's space inside for the H4 and sidelight wiring. If not, I'll look at the Hellas.

[Lazeum]

Ok, I did not understand for oil filter.

Basically, in France, we either share spare parts, order on MSA or other webshops (rockauto mostly). We have deal with them as a club.

We also have people doing some aftermarket parts: strut bars, roll cage, Fiberglass parts, etc.

Edited April 24, 2013 by Lazeum

[mikey265]

Hello Michael,

I went into our local Nissan dealer some weeks ago, they had nothing on their records for the 240-260Z but had some diagrams for the 280ZX. I was really surprised at the poor quality of the diagrams they had to work with however they couldn't locate the bits I was looking for which were still used on the later cars. I was told they had old microfiche at another branch but again they couldn't find any part numbers.

Without a part number, Nissan aren't going to be of much use. I'm not needing an oil filter but wanted to make the point of how difficult it appears to be trying to obtain an everyday service item.

I recently came across a Dome light on ebay USA in the original bag with the part number visible and I'm planning on giving this number to Nissan to see if they can get me one. Ridiculous that I have to do this but their parts database for these cars is seriously lacking.

Thanks for the information with the filter number, I've noted it for the future.

Hi,

Should be able to help you out with any part numbers if you need them, as I have my own microfiche.

Cheers, Michael

[sebby]

Hello Michael, Just read your message 2 days after you posted it, didn't receive an email notification that a reply had been received. Anyway, thanks for that it may come in handy in the future.

[sebby]

Hello again Arne,

I've sorted my front lights OK but haven't found the source of the day running lights but not a major issue just now.

I have a fault on my rear passenger indicator and brake light caused by the combo switch which I'll need to refurbish.

It dawned on me that the way US lights operate when the brake is applied whilst indicating would not pass UK inspection so I need to separate flashers and brake lights.

My wiring to the brake sensor has been replaced at some point but it seems to have additional wiring spliced in, a white wire to the fuse box and a blue wire to a solenoid attached to the top of the brake pedal assembly. This solenoid has red wires attached, one goes to the starter positive and another red appears to go to the front of the car, possibly for fog lights though none are in place.

I was wondering if I could link a wire between the positive wires of the top section brake lights on both rear lens and disconnect/ tape over the brake light on the lower section. Would this illuminate the brake light on both of the top sections whilst the car was indicating a turn. What do you think?

[Arne]

The US brake circuit goes through the turn signal switch, so any rewire you do needs to eliminate that part of the circuit. Check out these two tech articles for ideas:

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/articles-our-members/47299-71-240z-brake-light-circuit.html

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/articles-our-members/34891-modify-us-240z-rear-turn-signal-wiring-jdm-style.html