Mitchel0407 Posted Wednesday at 11:10 AM Share Posted Wednesday at 11:10 AM (edited) As the title implies I want to find out if a stock 280z with the L28E (fuel injected) can start and run without the dashboard. My 1977 280z will be dropped of at the body shop next week for new Apex Engineered frame rails and front fender braces. The body shop would like to have the car running so it’s easier to move around the shop. In the meantime I would like to restore my dashboard and replaced a few tings like the bulbs and the speedometer. But for that I need to know if I can remove the dashboard and still be able to start the car. Does anybody know if the 280z can be started without a dashboard? Edited Wednesday at 11:30 AM by Mitchel0407 Spelling mistakes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitchel0407 Posted yesterday at 01:08 PM Author Share Posted yesterday at 01:08 PM Yesterday after work I decided to just try and remove the dashboard and see what happens. Worst case scenario I have to put the dashboard back in place with a few bolts till she’s back from the body shop. But fortunately I didn’t have to! From what I could understand from the wiring schematics and pictures online the dash shouldn’t have any components or connections preventing the stock EFI from starting and running the engine. The dash just receives signals from the sensors but doesn’t send them. The only wiring connected to the dashboard where three connectors connected to the white panel in the passenger footwell. I disconnected these took out the dashboard and tried to start the engine. She had some trouble as the engine was cold and hasn’t started in a few weeks but after a few seconds she came to live and ran perfectly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flatout Posted yesterday at 02:08 PM Share Posted yesterday at 02:08 PM I was hesitant to respond as i've never had a "stock" Z but this makes sense. Some newer cars need the cluster to have the alternator charge but glad it worked out on the Z. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HowlerMonkey Posted 22 hours ago Share Posted 22 hours ago Came here to post that. I do know the infiniti M30 won't charge if the dash is removed. I found this out at PBIR in 2010 during a test and tune and found it wasn't charging so I drove back home to riviera beach with lights out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.