Denzil

There is probably only a 1000 ZX's in South Africa (only 459 officially released - 217 in 1982 - 139 in 1983 - 98 in 1984 & 5 in 1985, prior to this they were special imports). My problem with so few cars around, there are no experts around. Mine is a 1984, the right headlight is very dim on both high & low beam, any ideas.
By the way in SA we have no emission controls, no smog, good highways and a speed limit of 120kmph (75mph), but generally everybody travels at between 88 and 100mph. Just whats needed for Z.

WildmaN

Sorry I don't know much about 300ZX's. Try the 300zx forums, I am sure they can help you there. But anyway you might have an open circuit that is draining the power that is supposed to go to the headlights. And maybe also a bad ground or something. Maybe it is likely that the headlight needs replaced, but I am not sure, just an idea. Hope this helps you a little.

lww

WildmaN is most likely correct. It is probably a bad ground and/or corroded connections that are putting too much resistance into the line to allow your headlight to work at it's full potential.

The fact that it's on both the high and low beam makes me think it's related to the ground since they share the same ground wire.

I'm not sure if SA requires the year of manufacture as the model year or the year of import when referring to the date.

Is it a 300ZX or a 280ZX?

WildmaN

Hey lww he stated it is an '84. So I was assuming it was a 300zx. Unless they still made 280zx's longer. I have no clue, just a guess.

lww

I understand. Some countries register the vehicle as the year it was imported, not necessarily when it was manufactured or what 'Model' year it is like we do here in the states.

If SA registers them when they are imported, then it could have been a 280ZX that was imported into the country early in the year 1984 in which case, the South African government would have designated it as a 1984 280ZX.

Denzil

It's a 280ZX, in SA the year in which the car is sold determines the year model. The 300 was not officially marketed in SA, we've had a Z drought until the release of the 350. The last Z's before the 350 were the five 280ZX's sold in 1985. Thanks for the interest guys, I've sorted the problem. It was a burnt contact on the stearing column switch. Cleaned it up and the lights are back to normal. I'll have to look for a new switch though as this one is slightly melted, don't know how long it's gonna last.

WildmaN

Hey man glad we could help you out! Go check out victoriabritish.com or zcarparts.com. And request a catalog, to get your headlight column switch. And other Z parts you need in the near future.