I have a 78 280. About a month ago I started having problems with the lights dimming and now the car will only runs for a couple of minutes before it drops to below 6volts (lights off). I had the alternator tested: 16volts. The battery is 2months old, and I can't think of what could be wrong. The fusable links are all good. I figure I have a good short somewhere, but I don't know of the first place to start to identify it.
help! electrical problems
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Re: help! electrical problems on a 78 280Z
> I have a 78 280. About a month ago I started
> having problems with the lights dimming and
> now the car will only runs for a couple of
> minutes before it drops to below 6volts
> (lights off). I had the alternator tested:
> 16volts. The battery is 2months old, and I
> can't think of what could be wrong. The
> fusable links are all good. I figure I have
> a good short somewhere, but I don't know of
> the first place to start to identify it.
16 Volts sounds a little on the high side. Test the regulator. The procedure is in the Factory Service Manual and in the Haynes Manual. If the regulator is out of limits, you may be able to adjust it. However, since you said you were getting a large voltage drop, I think the regulator may be at the end of its service life.
BTW: Please try to put the year of your car with your post. It may improve your chances of getting the right answer.
> I have a 78 280. About a month ago I started
> having problems with the lights dimming and
> now the car will only runs for a couple of
> minutes before it drops to below 6volts
> (lights off). I had the alternator tested:
> 16volts. The battery is 2months old, and I
> can't think of what could be wrong. The
> fusable links are all good. I figure I have
> a good short somewhere, but I don't know of
> the first place to start to identify it.
16 Volts sounds a little on the high side. Test the regulator. The procedure is in the Factory Service Manual and in the Haynes Manual. If the regulator is out of limits, you may be able to adjust it. However, since you said you were getting a large voltage drop, I think the regulator may be at the end of its service life.
BTW: Please try to put the year of your car with your post. It may improve your chances of getting the right answer.
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Re: help! electrical problems on a 78 280Z
The voltage regulator for my '72 was only $20 and took all of about 10 minutes to change. Cheap insurance if you ask me. Make sure you clean out the connectors real good while you're at it.
> 16 Volts sounds a little on the high side.
> Test the regulator. The procedure is in the
> Factory Service Manual and in the Haynes
> Manual. If the regulator is out of limits,
> you may be able to adjust it. However, since
> you said you were getting a large voltage
> drop, I think the regulator may be at the
> end of its service life.
The voltage regulator for my '72 was only $20 and took all of about 10 minutes to change. Cheap insurance if you ask me. Make sure you clean out the connectors real good while you're at it.
> 16 Volts sounds a little on the high side.
> Test the regulator. The procedure is in the
> Factory Service Manual and in the Haynes
> Manual. If the regulator is out of limits,
> you may be able to adjust it. However, since
> you said you were getting a large voltage
> drop, I think the regulator may be at the
> end of its service life.
Re: help! electrical problems on a 78 280Z
> The voltage regulator for my '72 was only
> $20 and took all of about 10 minutes to
> change. Cheap insurance if you ask me. Make
> sure you clean out the connectors real good
> while you're at it.
Keep in mind if you have a 78Z it has an internal voltage regualtor in the alternator itself. Previous 280's had an external regulator. I would also recommend you check all your connections particularly battery connections and most important your ground connections to the engine and frame.
> The voltage regulator for my '72 was only
> $20 and took all of about 10 minutes to
> change. Cheap insurance if you ask me. Make
> sure you clean out the connectors real good
> while you're at it.
Keep in mind if you have a 78Z it has an internal voltage regualtor in the alternator itself. Previous 280's had an external regulator. I would also recommend you check all your connections particularly battery connections and most important your ground connections to the engine and frame.
You've probably already ckecked this but make sure your belt is tight and that there is no oil on it. Mine got a little oil on it while it was a little loose and I had to drive home without lights at night, but it was doing the same thing.
jared
> I have a 78 280. About a month ago I started
> having problems with the lights dimming and
> now the car will only runs for a couple of
> minutes before it drops to below 6volts
> (lights off). I had the alternator tested:
> 16volts. The battery is 2months old, and I
> can't think of what could be wrong. The
> fusable links are all good. I figure I have
> a good short somewhere, but I don't know of
> the first place to start to identify it.
jared
> I have a 78 280. About a month ago I started
> having problems with the lights dimming and
> now the car will only runs for a couple of
> minutes before it drops to below 6volts
> (lights off). I had the alternator tested:
> 16volts. The battery is 2months old, and I
> can't think of what could be wrong. The
> fusable links are all good. I figure I have
> a good short somewhere, but I don't know of
> the first place to start to identify it.
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