Electrical problems getting worse.

[alien-e]

Since I've owned my 73' 240Z the rear passenger-side turn signal (right side) would not flash. I wasn't worried about getting pulled over, since no one in Houston uses their turn signals anyway. Recently my instrument panel lights went out (all at once). I could live with that too, since I can hear when I need to shift, and everyone speeds in Houston anyway. This weekend, my rear running lights went out. Now I'm sure to get pulled over. I've checked all of the fuses and they are all good. I've also checked for loose connections on all the wires around the fuse box.

I have a Z club meeting on October 9th, and I don't want to leave my Z at home. Can anyone give me some ideas on what's causing these problems and what to check so I can solve them?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Victor Laury]

Eric,

Your Rear running lights went out at the same time as the dash lights. They ar on the same circut. Check the fuse again. replace it no matter how it looks. My former 72 had a problem with that circut.

[kmack]

I agree with Victor, double check all your fuses, in fact do a continuity test on all of them. This is the only true way to check them.

Also (and if it's not the fuses), I've seen the contacts inside the switches go bad due to high restance. What happens is the plastic contacts inside the switch heat up and melt and don't make contact anymore. I rebuilt a headlight switch on a '73 about 4 months ago. The running lights would work, but the headlights would not come on. You could shake the switch and they would flicker but not stay on. The little spring loaded plastic contact had melted. Easy fix, you just have to get inside the switch box (on the stalk) to get to it. Same thing happens on the turn signal switch.

Btw, the contacts on my turn signals are so worn, that if you don't purposely push the signal arm all the way to the stop, they won't work. No half-assing my turn signals!

[alien-e]

Good advice. Thanks, guys. Now, if I could only sneak out of the office to test it out.

[kmack]

Just run really quickly...

[alien-e]

That was exactly the problem Victor Laury. I replaced the fuse, and my whole world lit up. Now, I think I'll drive to Austin on Wednesday.

[beandip]

DONT BOTHER WATCHING FOR TRAFFIC , BECAUSE IN HUSTON NO BODY DOES ANYWAY

[Victor Laury]

. I replaced the fuse, and my whole world lit up

Yea, But, There's still might be a problem. If what's happening on your 73 is anything like what was happening on my former 72, that fuse will continue to blow. there was something on that curcit that was high resistance and I drove around with a box of fuses.

I hope your's is not as persistant.

[alien-e]

I've been having a lot of trouble recently. My AC fuses keep blowing, as well. I know my elctrics are in bad need of a complete tear out and rebuild. Until then, I'll keep carrying around a box of fuses.