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.