i bought an 83 datsun 280zx a couple weeks back and the dash lights would flicker with the rpm, when i replaced the battery they quit working all together. all the warning lights work and the pre flight check list thing. i noticed that when im turning my key off they will flash for just a second. i just replaced my battery ground cable but it didnt help. any insight into what may be going on would be greatly appreciated.

 

Welcome to ZDriver!

Have you tried adjusting the brightness **** on the dash? That could be the fault. Also, break out the multi-meter and start tracing back the power.

 

yeah that was the first thing i tried haha. but maybe the conection to the dimmer is bad? are they conected to the ignition? that would explain the flicker. looks like ill just have to dig in

 

If this isn't something that you end up fixing right away just make sure its only your dash lights going out. When I was DDing my slicktop (it may still do it who knows I've only had it running a few weeks now) the dash lights would randomly go out, sometimes just for a second or two sometimes for two or three days. After a few instances I found out that the tail lights would go out at the same time. That's a great way to get your car towed

 

Is there a relay associated with that circuit? Contacts in the column switch good? Check the main harness connections in the passenger foot well for corrosion.

 

ill check that out. its funny you said that because my warning light came on saying i had no brake lights even though ido, it comes and goes which is very strange. theres two wires on the side of my ignition and one is not attatched i tried several combo's while it was running but none changed anything i could see

 

so i got a multimeter and on the brown connector in the footwell im getting nothing except the far right has 1.24 can i just run a power wire right to the connector or does it go threw a fuze somewhere?