Guest Mniemann Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 Hi all, New member here. I have a stock 78 280z. Everything running well until last week. Car will not start. No click no nothing. All my electrical, lights, radio,etc do not work. I had battery tested, and it is good. I put in a new alternator. I just had put in a new starting motor. I turn the key to on, and voltmeter goes to zero. If turn the key to off voltmeter goes back up to 12. I am not sure what is going on. Could this be my ignition switch? Need your help Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naviathan Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 Sounds like it could be the ignition switch or a fusible link. Download a copy of teh Factory Service Manual from http://www.xenons30.com and run through some of the troubleshooting tips. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mniemann Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 thank you downloading now. Could it be my starting motor. As i said I just replaced it, but would that have anything to do with no power to rest of car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naviathan Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 That shouldn't have anything to do with the rest of the electrical issues. How did this problem come up? Was it suddenly? Did it just happen after replacing a part? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlatBlack Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 can't hurt to check the starter and its a fairly quick swap if you need to do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mniemann Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 Working fine one day, and the next minute the whole car is dead. figured since I had a new starter, and had the battery tested as good. It had to be my alternator. I pulled it and had it tested and it was bad. Got a Bosch for replacement. Hooked up. the car started,but if I did not keep my foot on the gas it died. I pulled the replacement and took back to store to test. they said it was bad. They gave me a new one. I had them test it before I left, and it tested good. Put back in car, and now I get nothing, and no power to lights gauges,radio ,etc. I checked fuse box and fuses all are good, and checked the fusible links in engine. They are good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naviathan Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 Relays and ignition switch sounds like the next likely course...I wonder if that series of "bad" alts fried the voltage regulator? Can't remember if a 78 still has the voltage regulator, I know 77 does. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mniemann Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 78 has the regulator built into the alternator. Will pull the starter tonight and have that checked. if that is good will replace the ignition switch. If that does not work will check relays. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daeron Posted December 4, 2008 Share Posted December 4, 2008 this sounds like an intermittent fusible link problem to me.. have you tried jiggling each one, unplugging and re seating each to make sure the connection is good? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thrustnut Posted December 4, 2008 Share Posted December 4, 2008 Sounds like a possable short to ground when the key is in the start position. You should be able to check for that pretty easy with a multi-meter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geking Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 Could it be a bad connection from the battery post to the battery wires? It can pull some power, but the resistance would cause the voltage to drop once the amperage goes up. V=IR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mniemann Posted December 12, 2008 Share Posted December 12, 2008 Could it be a bad connection from the battery post to the battery wires? It can pull some power, but the resistance would cause the voltage to drop once the amperage goes up. V=IR Okay, changed the gorund wire on back of the alternator. Car started right up, but know will not stay running if I do not keep my foot on the gas, and runs rough. I think I blew another diode in the alternator, are these alternators that sensitive. Will pull again tomorrow and take down to parts store to see if it is bad. I had them test it before I left the store the last time , and the alternator tested good. I cannot believe what a pain this is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlatBlack Posted December 12, 2008 Share Posted December 12, 2008 Im having the same problem, I feel your pain. How did you change the ground wire on the back of your alternator? Did you move it? Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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