[Unknown User]

Ok- I sometimes when I start my car and turn the lights on the first click on the knob nothing happens...no dash/parking lights! But when I turn it to the second click the headlights do turn on. The blinkers work so do the break lights. Where do I start???.....is it the switch or a relay somewhere! Its not the fuse. I am about to hardwire the tail lights up so I dont get a ticket....HELP PLEASE!
Travis 77z

 

[Ian]

Trevor,

Sounds to me like you have a bad switch. I'm pretty sure I have one. You have a '77, right? Call me and you can have it.

Ian

> Ok- I sometimes when I start my car and turn
> the lights on the first click on the knob
> nothing happens...no dash/parking lights!
> But when I turn it to the second click the
> headlights do turn on. The blinkers work so
> do the break lights. Where do I
> start???.....is it the switch or a relay
> somewhere! Its not the fuse. I am about to
> hardwire the tail lights up so I dont get a
> ticket....HELP PLEASE!
> Travis 77z

 

[larry]

> Trevor,

> Sounds to me like you have a bad switch. I'm
> pretty sure I have one. You have a '77,
> right? Call me and you can have it.

> Ian

I have the same problem with my 77 280Z. Is it possible that you have more than one extra switch? Or, If you don't get the call from Trever I wouldn't mind seconds.
Larry

 

[Unknown User]

ok! Thanks

> Trevor,

> Sounds to me like you have a bad switch. I'm
> pretty sure I have one. You have a '77,
> right? Call me and you can have it.

> Ian

Ok- I will call you after work today. Thanks alot Ian!
-Travis 77z

 

[Unknown User]

possible short too

I've had that problem in my 72 for a while now, and I've tried 4 different switches. I think its a short somewhere. My Z club prez just told me its usually in the rear taillight housing.

 

[Unknown User]

Re: possible short too

> I've had that problem in my 72 for a while
> now, and I've tried 4 different switches. I
> think its a short somewhere. My Z club prez
> just told me its usually in the rear
> taillight housing.

If it is a short, the fuse should be blown. Could be a relay also. I hate those [email protected]#$% elecrical problems!! Find the relay, and check for current to it that comes on with the switch on only. I don't know where the relay would be though. Also the light switches seem to be a common problem in the Z's.

 

[Unknown User]

Re: possible short too

I'm not sure about the later Z's, but there is no relay in the early ones. My fuse just gets really hot instead of blowing. (to the point of starting to melt the fuse box)

 

[Unknown User]

Re: possible short too

> I'm not sure about the later Z's, but there
> is no relay in the early ones. My fuse just
> gets really hot instead of blowing. (to the
> point of starting to melt the fuse box)

Had the same problem with my 74 it was the fuse and fuse holder. Both had corrosion on the contact surfaces. Just a light cleaning with some emery and all problems are now gone.

 

[Unknown User]

RE: lights out!? HERES MY FIX!!

I've got the same problem and it pisses me off. I checked everything logical.... ended up that the lights actually came on while I was messing in the area of the wiring harness near the fuse panel. Fuse panel was fine tho.

Until I have time to track down which connection in the harness is bad, I just reach under the passenger dash and wiggle my fingers through the wires... POOF just like fonzies juke box, my lights come on!

AYYYYYYYYE,

D. R.

PS. I know this is not the proper way to fix this, but it sure is cool!

> Ok- I sometimes when I start my car and turn
> the lights on the first click on the knob
> nothing happens...no dash/parking lights!
> But when I turn it to the second click the
> headlights do turn on. The blinkers work so
> do the break lights. Where do I
> start???.....is it the switch or a relay
> somewhere! Its not the fuse. I am about to
> hardwire the tail lights up so I dont get a
> ticket....HELP PLEASE!
> Travis 77z

 

[junkman]

There is a test proceedure in the FSM for the combo switch. Best advice would be to get a correct wiring diagram & start tracing. Usually the problem is at a switch or connector.