Woe Is Me! (240z Electrical Angst)

[gema]

Hi guys...I've been browsing these forums for about a week now, and you all seem like a very helpful bunch. As for an introduction, my name is Nate, and I'm your friendly neighborhood Parts clerk (Nissan dealership). I just started last week, so don't expect me to know everything...yet. Now, down to business. I just bought a 1972 Datsun 240z with full intentions of restoring it. First thing I need to do is make it safe...meaning I need to get the lights and heater working. Here's what I've found/done so far.

1. Upon picking up the car, nothing worked except the headlamps and taillights (out of four, three came on).

2. Once we got it home, I replaced all bulbs in the taillight assemblies, and all side marker bulbs.

3. After my bulb replacement, the brake lights work. Upon depressing the brake pedal, the brake lamps come on, as does the right taillight's reverse light. When switching the headlamps on, the taillights no longer turn on.

4. The front left turn signal will work, but none of the other turn signals and sidemarkers work.

5. None of the interior lights work, including the overhead lamp and behind-the-dash lamps.

6. The tachometer does not work.

7. Hazards don't work either.

I have no objections to ripping out all the interior panels and rewiring the entire car, if that's the only solution. I'm getting the factory service manual (of course) and am fairly electronically inclined (PC techinician by nature), and I'm learning mechanical stuff quick. Thanks in advance!

[blitzkraig]

Well I'm sure you've done this already but check all your fuses! Once those get the all clear check the wiring connections from the harness to the lights' subharness. If it looks like the harness has been butchered by a previous owners you might want to look around on ebay for an extra original harness. Good luck, and never give up on the lil beast. It may fight you often but when it's done, it's totally worth it!

[gema]

I've replaced all the fuses, and all bulbs except the front turn signals. I have a feeling the harness needs to be redone coming from the main line extending to the taillights. I moved it around a little when I removed the bulbs initially, and after moving it a little, the taillights no longer come on. So it must be some kind of loose connection. As for the dash lamps and interior lights, I still have no idea. I may buy a new wiring harness just to be sure (for behind the dash stuff) and then run new wiring throughout the body of the car to all lights and turn signals.

[mandtw]

If you are in the SoCal area, I have a complete harness set for a '72. I also rebuild and modify fooched harness sets.

[Xargon321]

Before you Start looking for a new harness, Clean the contacts of your connectors, if they are dirty and/or corrouded(sp?) it will cause it not to function at all or get power only once in a while, get a continuity light (like a test lamp but supplys its own power used to test wires and circuts with no power) My dome lamp was like that had to clean it up and it works great now, they arent exspensive and you can test bulbs and fuses with them..

[gema]

I'll be removing all the stalks and such from the steering column and cleaning those, and more than likely the lights. However, I know I"ll have to at least replace the wiring harness, as someone has clearly tampered with mine. A slice in the casing shows a wire held together by red electrical tape, and I'm positive there are other such mishaps on the car. What would be best, to buy the harnesses off another '72 240z or to simply rerun all the wire myself? Can't wait to get this thing running...

[Salacious Crumb]

I have a wiring harness for a 71 or 72 for behind the dash board and it has not been chopped up. I will sell it if you want it. Central Texas area.

[gema]

If everything worked before you pulled it out, I might be interested. How much do you want for it, and how much to ship it to Annapolis, MD? (21401).

[Salacious Crumb]

The dash board was given to me already removed so I don't know how well the harness worked before it was taken out. I examined it and I can't find any cut or spliced wires so my assumption is that it probably should have no major issues. I will sell it for $30 plus shipping (which I will have to check on).

[gema]

Shoot me an e-mail nathan@amoth.net We'll discuss it.