everything seems very weak!! whats going on

[TTDRIVER]

i have a 73 240z and all the electrical power seems very weak. I have a new battery new cables and for some reason every thing seems out of power. When the lights are on the instrument lights are very weak and the headlight barely light up on high beam. When i click the turn indicator on the lights and rpm needle jump with the pulse of the signal. i dont know what is going on. oh also my temp gage is reading all the way in the hot area fully stuck to the right but the car seems to be runnig at a normal temp. pleeese someone help. one more thing the car turns on with no problems seem to get enough power to carnk it up.

[Mr Camouflage]

Headlight are weak, thats normal.

Might have a faulty temp sender.

Might want to check the voltage regulator as well.

[TTDRIVER]

where is that located? is it the silver box close to the alt?

[Rusty1]

I know you said that you replaced the battery leads but check that you have a solid earth connection, it's good to start with the simple things....

[ZmeFly]

if your lights are weak do like Rusty said, make sure you have good connections and earth grounds. it is part of the Z ritual to remove and clean all contact as well. (ESPECIALLY THE GROUNDS!!)

with that remember also that the Z alternator was if i remember correctly only a 60 amp alt. not a lot of power there.

with the light issue, check your grounds first, my 71 i replaced the wires going to them and made new grounds which made for perfect head lights.

temp senor is the first i would check on the temp gauge then the guage itself. do a self test on the antifreeze to see what its reading from the radiator.

remove your alternator and take it to any local parts store most will check them for free. if your alt is good well only one other thing as the others stated voltage regualtor.

good luck

[Xargon321]

CHeck you connections, clean them even if they look fine, make sure your belt it tight on you alt!! if its not it wont spin right and wont produce power!

[TTDRIVER]

THANKS FOR THE HELP GUYS ILL START CHECKING IT OUT. wHAT DO YOU GUYS MEAN BUY SOLID EARTH GROUNDS? IS THAT THE BATTERY NEAGTIVE THAT GOES TO THE STARTER. AND WHICH ONE IS MY VOLTAGE REGULATOR. THANKS AGAIN

[TTDRIVER]

OK THE NEGATIVE CABLE ON MY BATTERY HAD THIS WIRE THAT WAS ATTACHED TO IT THAT WAS ABOUT 5 INCHES LONG VERY THIN WIRE, I TOOK IT AND HOOKED IT UP TO THE BODY AND MY POWER GOT MUCH BETTER AND EVEN STOPPED THE PULSATING WHEN THE SIGNALS WERE ON. BUT AFTER COUPLE OF MINUTES RUNNING I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND IT WOULDN'T START THE BATTERY DIED ANY IDEAS WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?

[Daniel]

Go to the location that the neg battery attaches to the car.Remove it and witha wire brush or such rub that area good.We are now aasuming that the battery post are tight.When checking th alt belt you want it snug but not too tight.One rule of thumb is you want to be able to press on the fan blade looking things on the alt and with force be able to move it.Over tight will bind the bearing and cause premature failure.The charging system can be checked on the car one you get it running.Myself,I dont like to waste time removing parts without reason.