datsun280zx81 Posted December 11, 2006 Share Posted December 11, 2006 I have a 1981 280zx 2+2 that I swapped the non turbo motor to a turbo motor and now have swapped the anolog dash for a digital 1983 dash. The temperature sensor isn't reading right and the tach isn't turning on. If I read correctly I should replace the sensor for the temperature reading in the thermostat housing but what do I do to make the tach work? Thanks for looking/your help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Challenger Posted December 11, 2006 Share Posted December 11, 2006 The solution for the temp sensor sounds right. Have you checked all the conections to the dash and the engine speed sensor.. It might be a simple corroded wire. I dont have a zx so I cant help alot. Hope you find the problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad-ManQ45 Posted December 12, 2006 Share Posted December 12, 2006 You do know that you have to replace the dash harness also with an analog dash harness don't you? Otherwise you have to do some splicing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
datsun280zx81 Posted December 12, 2006 Author Share Posted December 12, 2006 I might have to change that speed sensor for it to work. Good call. On the harness I have the new one thanks for the info. The guy I bought my dash from had the entire dash completely together in mint condition so all the harnesses were hooked up and there. I just need to figure out what sensors to replace. Thanks for both of your help. That was a lot faster than I thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paz8 Posted December 12, 2006 Share Posted December 12, 2006 The stock digital dash Tach uses a blue wire from the ign. coil that runs through a resistor before going to the dash harness. There is NO speed sensor for the tach, the speed sensor built into the dash is for the speedometer and the VOICE warning system. Tach wire is on the neg. side of the ign. coil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
datsun280zx81 Posted December 12, 2006 Author Share Posted December 12, 2006 So the tach wire runs from the - side of the Ign. Coil through the fire wall to what part of the wiring harness? Or does it it have to go straight to the tach itself? My next question was going to be getting the VOICE warning system running. As I understand it it plays through the center or left speaker. Is that correct? I just found out last night that it isn't hooked up. Both of the front ones are disconnected right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paz8 Posted December 12, 2006 Share Posted December 12, 2006 From the ign. coil it runs inside the drivers side of the car and through a resistor then a Blue with a white or green stripe to the dash harness, I can't remember the exact locations of the plugs. The voice warning operates through the left front speaker, if someone installed an after market stereo they probably cut it off or screwed it up (fried it) The only alarm that operates with the car standing still is the "lights on alarm" by turning on the lights and opening the drivers side door. The moduel for the voice system is over the pass. side rear wheel well, remove the spare cover it's in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
datsun280zx81 Posted December 13, 2006 Author Share Posted December 13, 2006 Thanks you've been a big help. I'm going to go try that now. The stock wiring harness for the radio is untouched so that shouldn't be a problem. I do have an aftermarket radio in there now but it has a completely seaperate harness that I made that goes straight to the battery and rear speakers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paz8 Posted December 13, 2006 Share Posted December 13, 2006 OK then, find the controler at the back of the car, turn on your headlights or parking lights open the drivers side door, leave the door open, go to the controler and you can hear it running and a relay clicking, if the speaker is connected you should hear a chime sound followed by" lights on". Up front at the radio harness the controler speaker wires are colored Yellow/Red and Yellow/Black these should go to the front left speaker (drivers side). All the other warnings require that the car be moving. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
datsun280zx81 Posted December 14, 2006 Author Share Posted December 14, 2006 I thought that the controller for the voice was in the dash. I guess I will need to pick that up from the parts car on Saturday. Thanks for the info again. I haven't had a chance yet to play with the tach because I got in some 280z wheels that I am cleaning up. The black/silver wheels will look better on my black Z vs. the gold/silver ones. I'll let you know if that makes the tach and the talking lady work. 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.