Hi Everyone,
I just purchased a Z and thought I would share some info that helped me. My Z (83 280ZX N/A Coupe) always had the high beams on and the right headlight was extremely more dim than the left. This is actually two different problems both caused by the headlight switch behind the steering wheel. To fix it you need a screwdriver, WD40, and something small to pry with (I used a right angle dentist's pick). To start remove the steering column cover by taking out the 4 or so screws. Then look behind the lever with the headlight switch on it. If there is a little cover back there, remove it by squeezing it and pulling it off.

If you watch this area while you twist the lights on and off, and operate the high beam switch, you can see how the light switch works by lifting copper "fingers" off of the rest position. The finger closest to the driver door is for high beams, then marker lights, then two fingers for the right and left headlight respectively.


High Beam

They stay on all the time because the copper finger does not return all the way to the rest position.First make sure the lever/switch is set to low beam, then if you press the finger down towards the back of the car, the high beams should turn off and go back to low. To fix it spray some WD40 on the part shown in the picture.


Single Headlight Fix

My right headlight became dim because the two headlight fingers were too close together which was making them feed off of the same circuit. (The only reason I can think of for the two fingers is so the car can have separate circuits and thus fuses for each headlight) To fix it I just used a right angle pick and bent the finger for the right headlight away from the one for the left headlight.


I hope this helps someone, also could someone please tell me how to use the code to make the images appear in the post instead of a link. Thanks.

 

Hey Merjii,

Welcome to the forum! That's also a good bit of advice.

Now, In your AVATAR... Is that Bruce Dickinson... The Bruce Dickinson?
I love it, but I gotta have more cowbell!!!

Rod.

 

NO way Rod that is not the famous Bruce Bruce from the great IRON MAIDEN. (which Bruce Dickinson is one of my biggest influences in singing, along with Geddy Lee from Rush, which a lot of people have told me I sound a lot like him) Not to brag just stating facts, of people that have told me before.
It looks like that one actor, I can't quite remember his name. But he mostly plays a villian. All aside that is great advice man, that could come in handy in the future. Good job bro'!

 

Wildman, You crack me up. The guy in the picture is Christopher Walken. But, It's taken from an episode of Saturday Night Live and a skit where he played a music producer whose name happened to be Bruce Dickinson (Probably a rip off of Iron Maiden) who is working in the studio with Blue Oyster Cult during the recording of "Don't fear the reaper". It is one of the all time greatest SNL skits ever.

Rod.

 

Ok I get it, I was just making sure you knew who Bruce Dickinson was.LOL Yeah Christropher Walken is a great actor. Now I do get the joke man, thanks for clearing that up.

 

I GOTTA FEVER, AND THE ONLY PRESCRIPTION IS.....MORE COWBELL!!

I've been liooking for that skit to download forever...

Walken rules!!

*For those who want to know what it's all about, CLICKY!!

MORE COWBELL

 

i vote this a sticky

 

That was hillarious, are any of those guys the real Blue Oyster Cult? Just wondering, cause I can't tell if they are playing right or not. And I don't remember what they look like.

 

You'll like this follow-up also...

More Cowbell #2

Give it a minute, though...

 

That band rocks, I have 2 of their last albums. THey are verry unique, and the cowbell goes right along with their form. Good stuff man, and it fits well!

 

Too Classic!

I like how he really "Explored the space".

Rod.