d.p Posted February 27, 2021 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2021 Yeah could be. Just so I understand when you put in R then the trans pushes on the switch/plunger which turns the reverse lights on? I will go ahead and order another 280zx one as whatever I have isn't working anyways. Regarding my steering wheel @datzenmike said this in other thread " The underside of the wheel has a circular brass ring. The steering column has a small spring loaded brass pin sticking up. When the wheel is fitted, the pin rubs the brass ring in any position the wheel is turned to keep in contact. The wheel transmits this through the horn button to ground to activate the horn relay." 1 Quote Link to comment
thisismatt Posted February 27, 2021 Report Share Posted February 27, 2021 You don't have a meter? 1 Quote Link to comment
thisismatt Posted February 27, 2021 Report Share Posted February 27, 2021 Yes, they all have the ring, but the "button" itself is a POS. On mine it's a stupid ring making electrical contact through a spring, suspended by rubber grommets. Basically, I'm suggesting your "button" is stuck in the shorted/pressed position, so you need to disconnect the S wire at the relay so the relay isn't constantly on, then figure out your button situation. 1 Quote Link to comment
d.p Posted February 27, 2021 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2021 9 hours ago, thisismatt said: You don't have a meter? yeah but no idea what I am supposed to test because it has power. As soon as put the turn signal collar/ring on the column and either tighten the screw (pic below) that holds it to the column or put the steering wheel on the horn activates. I don’t know what the “button” looks like. Is it the copper pin on the wheel itself? 1 Quote Link to comment
thisismatt Posted February 27, 2021 Report Share Posted February 27, 2021 (edited) The horn switch wiring is the light green w/black stripe that connects through the turn signal switch wiring. You need to test the wire for continuity to ground. The horn switch relay should have green to H, green w/blue stripe to B, and light green w/black to S. Disconnect the light green w/black to S at the relay so you can test the circuit without the horn relay engaging. Then, with the horn button off, I would start testing all the parts where the horn button interfaces for ground continuity. Test the springy metal that the steering wheel ring makes contact through. If that is open to ground, put the wheel on and check the part that makes continuity through the wheel to the "button" areas. Since you say that it sets off the horn as soon as you put that screw in to the turn signal switch, without the wheel on, then it sounds like the problem is in the switch and you need to check that there is no short between the light green w/black stripe wire and any of the turn signal switch metal - for instance, the springy metal bar that contacts the steering wheel ring should have a plastic standoff under it, and an insulating washer between the screw and the springy metal, otherwise it is shorted to ground. Edited February 27, 2021 by thisismatt 3 Quote Link to comment
d.p Posted February 27, 2021 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2021 Alright so if I disconnect the harness at the column and leave the S connected (horns disconnected) and test continuity from the switch I get noise when touching the black/green stripe wire in the harness (side attached to turn signal switch) and the steering column. The other 3 wires in the harness don’t have any continuity. should that copper strip/arm on the turn signal switch be touching the back of the wheel? 2 Quote Link to comment
d.p Posted February 27, 2021 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2021 How do I test exactly if there is a short between the green/black wire and the turn signal switch? I have a multimeter so someone just lead me to water. 1 Quote Link to comment
d.p Posted February 27, 2021 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2021 Well my lord and savior @thisismatt lead me to water. Turns out the screw that holds the turn signal switch onto the column pinched the black/green wire from the horn contact causing it to ground. Threw some tape over it and all is well again. 2 Quote Link to comment
d.p Posted February 27, 2021 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2021 Making progress. got all the gauges and wiring done. Got the bench back in as well and pleasantly surprised the shifter doesn’t hit the bench at all. It’s in reverse here and room to clear. 2 Quote Link to comment
d.p Posted February 27, 2021 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2021 Have to do something about my exhaust as it dumps right under the cab and the open tunnel is no bueno. Not even sure I want to start it up with it like this. Surely no interest in driving it around in its current state. There isn’t enough room to push the rear section up to meet it. The rear section hits the bottom of the cab. 2 Quote Link to comment
d.p Posted February 27, 2021 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2021 I guess I could just cut the rear section far enough that it dumps behind the cab instead of right under it. 2 Quote Link to comment
d.p Posted March 1, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2021 Got my exhaust sorted thanks to @Crashtd420 who told me to buy a flex pipe and cut it to make it work. I did but the stupid torsion bars get in the way so I had to cut it higher then I wanted to. Should work and only temporary to allow me to get it running and then take it to an exhaust shop. 3 Quote Link to comment
Charlie69 Posted March 2, 2021 Report Share Posted March 2, 2021 Would you do that to your BMW or your wife's Mercedes? 1 Quote Link to comment
thisismatt Posted March 2, 2021 Report Share Posted March 2, 2021 You gonna finish tightening that nut? 😄 Did you fix the reverse lights? 1 Quote Link to comment
d.p Posted March 2, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2021 11 hours ago, Charlie69 said: Would you do that to your BMW or your wife's Mercedes? Do what exactly to my BMW or my wife's Mercedes? 10 hours ago, thisismatt said: You gonna finish tightening that nut? 😄 Did you fix the reverse lights? That pic was right before I finished it up but the pic I took after had some weird flare in it so I just posted that one instead. Good eye though. Reverse lights are working with the new 280zx specific switch. I guess a 521 4 speed switch just doesn't work in a 280ZX 5 speed. Quote Link to comment
thisismatt Posted March 2, 2021 Report Share Posted March 2, 2021 I think he's referring to the flex tube, but yeah...temp Quote Link to comment
d.p Posted March 2, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2021 1 minute ago, thisismatt said: I think he's referring to the flex tube, but yeah...temp Odd question to ask for obvious reasons but no I would never do it to either of our other cars. Mainly because I would never swap the drivetrains out of them as they are plenty fast and capable unlike a stock L16 and 4 speed out of a 521. 🙄 Temp until I can get it to the exhaust shop and get a 2" exhaust done. Crash has $10 saying it will be months before I get it fixed so we will see. 1 Quote Link to comment
Crashtd420 Posted March 2, 2021 Report Share Posted March 2, 2021 Just now, d.p said: Crash has $10 saying it will be months before I get it fixed so we will see. I was just about to say that..... 1 Quote Link to comment
mainer311 Posted March 2, 2021 Report Share Posted March 2, 2021 I think you should humor us and run a giant flex pipe all the way to the back. Get some of that expanding metal dryer hose. 1 Quote Link to comment
d.p Posted March 2, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2021 Hell I could do that, get one of those 4" dryer pipe and go to town. My intital cost would increase though from $9 to double digits I would imagine. Anyone ever watch roadkill? I love that show and I felt like one of those dudes when I was doing it. 1 Quote Link to comment
mainer311 Posted March 2, 2021 Report Share Posted March 2, 2021 (edited) Sure have. I watched all the vids of the twin turbo boat that Mike Finnegan recently built. Edited March 2, 2021 by mainer311 2 Quote Link to comment
d.p Posted March 2, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2021 Yeah Finnegan is good. You ever watch Roadkill Garage with Dulcitch? HotRod Garage and Faster with Finnegan are good ones too although it seems new content is far and few in-between due to Covid. 1 Quote Link to comment
d.p Posted March 3, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2021 I was talking to crash about starting this engine up the first time and whether I need to break it in. Reason being is the cam, pistons, valves, crank, etc.. are not new. The only new things inside the engine are the rings and bearings so what if anything do I need to do? Quote Link to comment
mainer311 Posted March 3, 2021 Report Share Posted March 3, 2021 Make sure it's primed. Pull the spark plugs and use the starter to spin the engine until you get oil everywhere. Keep it up off of idle for a while so that it can maintain a decent oil pressure. Technically that's more important to protect a new cam/rockers, but you'll want to make sure your new main and rod bearings are getting plenty of oil. Fill it up for the first time with conventional oil. Better for ring break-in, plus you'll be changing it fairly soon after break-in anyway. Quote Link to comment
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