So I'm trying to test out a bunch of stuff in the car and following the FSM. I just disconnected the 35pin connector from the control unit under the dash. Only to find out there aren't 35 pins, any ideas to why it looks like this and why the FSM tells me to measure stuff that this connector doesn't even have. (for instance page FE-25 testing throttle valve idle position.)

Technically it is a 35 pin connector, some slots are not pinned, most likely for options you do not have. What year and options is your car ? The FSM's do cover Canada and California options, so you might just be looking at the wrong diagram.

Mine is a european 280zx 2+2 from '81 non turbo
I still have a repair manual from the EU here so I'll be checking that one tomorrow (it's 00:43 right now so bit to late to go tinkering on the car)

the weird thing is, there are pins on the ECU that are not one the connector and same thing other way around...
Repair manual didn't help me... also a different connector :s

All my FSM's clearly number each pin... what are you trying to test?

Yes, i know the FSM clearly numbers every pin. But it told me to measure pin 29 and 30.. while I don't have a pin 29. (just an example) It was for the throttle valve positions. But allot of other things I wanted to measure out had similar issues, pins in the book that my connector doesn't have.

And just look at how few pins my connector has, and how few actually connect to the ECU

Not all pins are connected. It's very common to have unused pins in a connector. As far as I know there is no throttle position sensor - just a switch.

It's been a long time since I've worked on an n/a, but can you pull back the boot that covers the huge ecu plug? If so, just trace the wire colors to each sensor you want to test.

Ah yea good idea too. First useful advice thanks