Ok, my dashboard lights, the clock and the tail llights decided to stop working.
Brake lights, reverse and turn signals do work.

I have a short circuit somewhere, and I can't pin point the problem.

I took off the combination switch and here's what I found. If I bridge the left and middle metal pieces (the ones that activate headlights and turn signals), everything works with the exception of the clock. But when I bridge the left and middle metal pieces, I notice a spark.
Also, If I bridge the red/blue and red/green wires - everything works with the exception of the clock, and I also notice a tiny spark.

All fuses are fine, no burnt out fuses.

I can bridge these cables or the metal pieces and everything works, but my **** retentive self won't be happy knowing that the clock doesn't due to a problem that I can't seem to find.

Any ideas before I go insane?!

 

It is possible your clock quit on you. Not uncommon, because my original quit. So I got another 3 guage unit, and everything works again. Just a thought, hopefully you figure it out. Good luck to you, and I am sure somebody else with more knowledge can help you out more.

 

It could be...the last time I saw it on was about two weeks ago, but I know that whenever I have problems with the combo switch the clock seems to get affected.

 

If the fuses are all good then you most likely do NOT have a short. A short will usually burn out the fuse in no time flat. It's most likely your combo switch that is the culprit. All the items you listed as not working all operate off the #1 position on the combo switch. I've had this happen on both my Z's now. The first thing you should do is verify that the combo switch is getting voltage for that circuit from the fuse box. Then verify that the switch is even working properly. One wire supplies power to all those items so try running voltage to that wire where it comes out of the combo switch (cant remember the color, but a quick glance at a wiring diagram will tell you which one it is) and see if that fixes the problem.

EDIT: And like wildman said, there is a chance the clock is just toast.

 

J, the combo switch does get power. I noticed that the red/blue seems to be the one carrying power to this switch.
Quick question does, since it appears that the combo switch is bad, is it safe to just bridge these wires? I mean when I bridge the left and middle metal plates everything works. I just don't wanna cause damage to the car by doing this.

As for the clock, I have a spare tri-gauge from my spare Z.

(anyone has a '81 combo switch for sale? )

 

thats all the combo switch does...it bridges (closes) the circuits. So there would be no harm to manually control the circuit with a seperate switch. The combo switches are usually an easy fix. Just make sure the contacts are clean and free of corrosion. Also run the switch through it's positions and verify that the contacts are opening and closing accordingly. If they're not they may need to be bent a little bit to compensate for wear over the years. Also, the little plastic peices that move the contacts up and down can sometimes come loose. Make sure those are securely in place (you'll know what I'm talking about when you get into it).

 

as far as i know the clockes in all 280z's zx's and zxt do go out ... soon or a later.. hell i dont need the dash clock.. but it is nice when your running laps... since it does that that built in lap track timer.. pretty cool if i must say so my self..

 

i just fix that problem about 2 weeks ago... its the connection that goes to the sterring place... mines was all burnt and everything.. and if you touch to wires together.. theres a spark.. clean that up.. and most of the time i hear is the connection its self thats bad not any short or anything

 

Yeah, that clock is cool looking though

Luckily I have a spare tri-gauge from my spare ZX, so I guess I'll be doing a swap soon.

 

HI folks I could us some good opinions...the interior instrument panel lights wont go on, the rear lights (the parking lights), nor the little lights on the fenders. I had to turn the lights on and off a few times last week to get them going. Only the headlights and break lights come on. The fuse is fine. And I found no shorts. What do ya think folks? Oh yeah the cruise control wont work either and I know the button to initiate the cruise control is on that little stick with the turn signal. Oh yeah the turn signals work just fine. Happy Holiday to ALL.

 

get a watch lol. meh, its just a clock, go find a nother one. till then. jsut get all your other stuff working. its a bit more important. and in reagards to nismo619 i think if im not mistaken. this is just out of memory. the clocks in the s30 (240 260 280z not zx) are manual clocks. or whatever the hell you call those.. mechanical? not digital either way. kinda strange, but i like it, flows much nicer with the rest of the car. and man do i love the circular guage pods in s30's such an amazing dahsboard layout....

 

the 82's had a digital clock. have you checked all grounds as well. also get yourself a multimeter and test the switch from the connector under the dash, this will clear up any myths that you may have, also if you have a local wrecker, or a spare car, swap switches.

 

Dude! DavidJoe.... Where you been??? How you doin???? Good to see you're still around.


Did they ever find your Z that got stolen?????




Rod.

 

I'm good busy. 14 hour days and so much x mas shopping to...they never did find my Z. so I bought a silver one with black and silver interior. I looks nice and runs really good. but can anyone give me an opinion on the combination switch. ohh and about the wrecking yard. how do ya know if the one you pull is any better than the one I have. It's like that with electrical.

 

Welcome back David! Glad you're back with us.

 

just take a chance i guess joe, most wreckers offer a warranty anyway, plus if you have a haynes manual it should tell you what each wire does, and what color, my manuals are at my shop or i would check for ya

 

It sounds like the combo switch is definitly toast... Blinkers work on a different part of the switch than the rest of that stuff, so it makes sense.


Rod.

 

My switch may be acting up, I turn my lights on and a few minutes later while I am driving my high beams will switch on and I have to pull the flash to pass thing once and it is fine again....do you think the switch is on it's way out?

 

I hope note! I'm going to call Nissan in the morning to see it they can get me a new one. I'll let you all know what they go for. i'm sure it's a special order. Oh well. I just can't stand for that kind of stuff to go wrong. especially in the holiday road crackdowns. Happy holidays and I'll let you all know the price quote.

 

Mine has been doing exactly that for two years now...




Rod.

 

Hi everyone...the boys at nissan just quoted me $379.00. That kind of **** should be illegal. I'm going to pull one out of a wrecking yard and see if it works. if not then I might have to do the unthinkable. Doesn't that **** you off.

 

I think Black Dragon was a little cheaper than that... Or maybe it was MSA.

Anyway's they got you by the gonads because it's a common failure item, it's crucial, and it goes to a 25 year old car... OUCH!




Rod.

 

Crucial yes, but that exact combo switch...Maybe not. I'd try comparing different combo switches in the jy. I think the late 80s early 90s Mazda's had a similar switch that may be cheaper to buy and wire in. It all ends up being a matter of wiring once you find one that fits. I haven't looked into this yet, but I had a late 80s B200 pick up and I remember the combo switch looked just like the on in the Z.

 

Hi Guys,

Well it was the wiring harnest to the combo switch...specifically the 8 prong that hooks up to the left side of the switch and into the turn signal. It's all working...I still have to get on the freeway to see if the cruise control is functioning. But the parking lights, turn signals, and the little lights on the fenders. Thank god that it wasn't the switch. The wiring harnest cost me a whopping $5.00 out the door. Thanks for opions guys.