I have recently aquired a 1979 280zx (with 5sp manual trans) that has developed an unusual (to me) electrical problem. The problem manifest itself without prior warning, which puzzles me.

When I turn the ignition switch to the on position everything seems fine (dash lights come on, etc...), but when the key is turned to start I can hear a click which seems to be coming from the area of the ignition relay, and then everything electrical goes dead, and the battery discharges suddenly. I have bench tested the starter (which is what I immediately suspected)and checked the ignition switch, and both are fine. I am assuming that I have developed a short somewhere, but it does not seem to be in the starter/ignition circuits, even though it manifests when the ignition switch is turned to start.

Please help!

 

I had a problem simiar to yours, on my 83 280ZX NT. the problem was my ignition coil. so check that. It deals with the electrical current. when you disconnect it your car dies and so does the eectrical current in your dashboard

"It can't rain all the time"

 

Thanks for the suggestion Draven. I tested the ignition coil with an ohmmeter and it fell within acceptable range. If you, or anyone out ther have any furthe theories or suggestions of any kind, please respond before I lose my mind.

Thanks

 

ahhh man, i know exactly what your talkin about because my 1976 280z does that whenever i have the batery charger hooked up to it. lil bastard was never the same after that...