OK, so I just put in the rest of my guage covers, and steering wheel, and shift boot. While doing this, I was messing a bit with the wiring for my stereo (still missing since being stolen), and a wire arced a bit against some metal, and now I have no volt meter, no clock, and the interior lights (doors and lower consoles) don't come on. I'm pretty sure I just broke an old wire or pulled something loose. Checked fuses already. Any ideas???

Thanks

PS: dash lights and all others still work.

 

I've done this several times. Although my fuse blew everytime it happened ...

In fact, my voltmeter didn't work again until I installed another stereo. I think it's the crappy stock wiring finally giving out, especially after the high-load abuse of arcing over.

 

You blew a fuse link. Those wires in the box next to the battery. One of em's fried. I don't know which one but if you pull em out and check continuity on em I bet you'll find one's open and needs to be replaced

I've blown a link twice (well one of em was a friend) from doing that same thing under there.

 

Oh and on a side note: The best thing you can do is spray that sucker down with some rubberized undercoating to provide insulation. I don't know why Nissan made it metal in the first place. A plastic piece would've been just as cheap if not cheaper and provided some added insurance against stuff shorting.

 

^ True that. The rubber spray stuff is a good idea. If I was keeping that console piece in my Zed, I'd have done that by now.

Now that you mention it, J, I do recall nuking a fusible link once. Good call.

 

Ok, since then I found out that if I start the car, the voltmeter works, but only shows 6 volts, and the clock will work, but resets everytime I start the car. Also, if I turn on the map light, it's knocks the clock and voltmeter out, and the door warning light on the dash comes on. Also, if the car is running, and you open a door, the voltmeter and clock go out, like a short somewhere. I'm going to pull the center console out this next weekend and see if I can find out whats going on. Just thought someone might have experienced the same thing. Also, I'm going to put caps on all the bare wires...

Thanks for the replies...

 

check and/or swap around the electrical system relays in the relay box. It should have 5 relays under a cover. In the engine compartment on the right side just forward of the strut tower.

If you need to replace the interrior light auto dimmer, that unit (I blew out once installing an alarm) is located behind the ECU. You know where that is.

 

Yeah, I do. Thanks Bleach and all that answered! I'll checjk the fusible links (just in case) and check where Bleach suggested. I should be able to run without the center console for awhile, right?!

Thanks

PS: Any idea how to check the relays?? I have an ohm meter. What readings should I look for??

 

speaking of stereos, does any one have a wiring diagram for a factory radio for a 81 280zx n/a?

 

Another thread hijacked. AARGH!! J/K

 

I changed the headliner and the dome light arced a bit and now I'm having the same issues with the voltmeter, the radio, the dome light and the map light. So is the consensus the fusible links?

 

By the way... does someone have a pic of the fusible link schematic... the cover doesn't have one. Thanks

 

Wow 5 year old thread resurrection!

http://xenons130.com/reference.html

Get the FSM from there and it should have all the wiring diagrams you should need for your Z

 

It's a ZOMBIE!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Ibtl!

 

honestly, that bigg fat red looking wire on the side of a big sqaure thing in the engine bay is the possy line. take it off, and bam. touch things all you want to till your jollys fall off

 

It was the fuse that works the radio, voltmeter, dome light, and the map light. It was raining yesterday and it was late. Funny how the voltmeter still read something, and the radio still came one. Just when I turned on the radio or the map light the volts went to nothing. Threw me off a bit. Thanks for the FSM website. The schematic for the fuses worked like a charm. Just went to the part store and for less than 3 bucks all is good. BTW I put on a new silver hood and a headliner for less than $200.

 

I've had this same short on both of my zx's. I'm currently dealing with it actually, still haven't fixed it yet. I'll get around to it...