1973 240z Headlight problem?

[Jin]

Well, my headlights have never had any problems for me for the few months I've had the car. (Previous owner garaged the car for most of it's life, so he claims 93k original miles)

 

So, last night I was heading home, I turned the Z off to pick up a friend (lights were working), turn the car back on about 5-10 minutes later, and then my headlights won't turn on? All my other lights (dash, gauges, tail lights, brake lights, turn lights. etc) except my headlights, so... after thinking about it, my first assumption was that I blew a fuse. (perhaps?)

 

So I drove home with no headlights (I had to.. it was scary. I was more scared for the Z, then myself )

So, I dropped the Z off at my garage and tried to turn the headlights on then, still nothing.

 

I figured I'd check it out tomorrow, since I had to go out with a few friends, and about 2-3 hours later, I come home, and I go try again, and the lights are working perfect again?

 

Has anyone had this happen to them before? I hear the 73' Z's have bad electrical relays, but what could cause this?

Bad/loose ground? It can't be a fuse can it? Does anyone have any personal experience, or suggestions?

 

Thank you for your help, and I apologize for the long post.

[giorgio61]

I'd say the headlight switch (half of the combo switch) overheated.

Those switches are prone to overheat and even melt due to the high amperage that flows through them.

There is a fix for this that uses a couple of relays and works very well. I highly recommend you do that. These are available pre-made plug and play from zstore, blackdragon and others, and if you do a search there are plans and instructions for the DIY.