1980 n/a 280zx
I no longer have High Beams.
Low beams work fine, but as soon as I turn on the high beams, I lose my head lights.
all other lights work still, but not head lights.
The FSM and Haynes do not cover this issues (that I can find).

I don't know if this is related but my blinkers don't work like normal. The left side blinkers flash at the normal rate, the right hand flash about every 5 seconds.

both problems did NOT start at the same time.

I have read Dim headlights? Not noh moh! and I ASSume this might have something to do with my issues.

But before i start to work on this, any advice or suggestions on what else to look for? I don't want to spend time work on the wrong problem.

also that link seems to indicate you can remove the switch without removing the steering wheel, the FSM say you have to remove it. which is it?

 

Based on the 82 FSM, it says it is either a fault lighting relay or a faulty lighting switch. I found it in the electrical section under Circuit Diagrams and Trouble Diagnosis -> Lighting -> Headlamp section.

As for the turn signal, check that you're using the right wattage bulb, and they're all good. Also make sure you have no loose connections. If all checks out, its a faulty flasher unit.

Also, based on the diagrams in the FSM you'll have to remove the steering wheel to remove the switch. it's not that difficult to remove the steering wheel, and definitely makes life easier knowing how to do it.

(sorry to those that would say search and research, I just read about a lot of this yesterday so it's still fresh in my memory.)

let us know how it goes, if you find some resolutions to these issues. apologies if there's a huge difference between 80 and 82.

 

hate responding to an older thread, but here goes. my pass side headlight is dim. went back and read 'dim headlights, not noh moh'. and my combo switch is not configured like the picture. i have no 'plug' on the back of my switch. the wires are soldered to the contacts, and the wires bundled and tie-wrapped and go to a plug underneath the dash(about a foot away). checked this plug anyway and found it clean as the popes new threads! jumped power across from the other headlight (i know, i know), and it makes it work ok. is the brown wire a ground? i grounded to w/another wire and it did no good. got any ideas? eletrickery is not my forte' and could use any and all help; thanx, ron.

 

I had the same problem, went through the flasher and combo switch. It turned out to be the headlight sensor for Betty was bad.

 

thanx, ev. could it be that simple? now to try and find one.....

 

well, as luck would have it, i had one amongst my various bins of spares. but it did not make any difference. so i took a jumper wire and jumped the red w/green tracer wires across the bottom of the multi-pin connector that plugs into the headlight sensor. success! and the warning display on the dash has quit lighting everytime i turn the lights on.