And God said "let there be light" but nothing happened......

[Deleted member 3203]

hi all sorry for the dodgy title lol. Just after a bit off advice. I've just started working on my Z again and am having trouble with the light on the dash. Everything on instrument cluster ( I think that's what it's called) lights up, hi beam indicator etc. But when I put the headlights on nothing happens. so I have no idea how fast am going at night. The ashtray light doesn't come on and the light around the heater knobs don't illuminate. I assume they all feed off the same circuit I've checked the fuses all seem OK. Am not sure where to go from here. Can anyone advise?
Thanks in advance

 

[hard top]

It is probably the dimmer knob, for want of a better word, that has had it.
A long time ago I posted up a repair thread on here, will see if I can find it.

Edit: Rheostat

 

[Lee]

Or I have a spare dimmer knob assembly.

Lee

 

[Deleted member 3203]

Bare in mind I CAN turn the headlights on, so it is responding just the internal failing.

 

[Deleted member 3203]

Or I have a spare dimmer knob assembly.

Lee

Thanks but I have a spare car haha

 

[Jack Ratt]

Or I have a spare dimmer knob assembly.

Lee

You'd be popular at one of @littlefeller 's munch's

 

[hard top]

Bare in mind I CAN turn the headlights on, so it is responding just the internal failing.

If that is the case, it is the Rheostat.

 

[bertiejaffa]

If that is the case, it is the Rheostat.

Which is inside the dimmer switch

 

[hard top]

Yeah, that black knob thingy.....

 

[hard top]

Remove this nut (8mm)

Screw that needs to be removed is the hole at the top of the hole left by removing the knob (knob is screwed on as well)

Now the whole thing pulls out. It's kind of tough to get out though.

unplug the wires and you'll have this;

Push in the tab here and on the other side of the spindle.

Now remove the metal covering by using a knife and prying it off (it pops off)

Solder a jumper here:

Re-assemble and see your gauges at night.
Of course the dimmer doesn't work but that's not a concern for me.

 

[littlefeller]

You'd be popular at one of @littlefeller 's munch's

the munch is now looking lickly to be held at the aptly named rutland

hey great wright up ht, will have to remember it, its appears to be a common fault.

 

[Deleted member 3203]

Aw man. Can't anything be as simple as unscrew, unplug, reassemble job dun
Thanks hard top. Looks like my Sunday is booked up.
Al get back let you know how I end up.

 

[Deleted member 3203]

If anyone's interested I had a go at it today and it was exactly as hardtop said. I followed and instructions, I swaped the part altogether an it was like Christmas again. Was a pain slotting back in but over all easy job.

 

[Zeti]

That's what friends are for!

 

[Deleted member 3203]

How much of a job is it to change the belts, I think they are for the water pump. As u can see I don't know much about cars apart for I love driving them. Lol
I can see the belts at the front of the engine look really aged an cracking, and how much damage would it cause if it snapped while driving. Is this the same as the timing belt?

 

[Deleted member 3203]

That's what friends are for!

Hopefully one day I could advise someone else.

 

[t-tony]

How much of a job is it to change the belts, I think they are for the water pump. As u can see I don't know much about cars apart for I love driving them. Lol
I can see the belts at the front of the engine look really aged an cracking, and how much damage would it cause if it snapped while driving. Is this the same as the timing belt?

No, not the timing belt. Unlikely for a poly- vee belt to snap they have to be very, very bad for that to happen, but they can split apart and become trapped behind the pulley(s) so if in doubt change them. They're more than likely the original ones from new.

Tony.