az240z Posted December 29, 2009 Share Posted December 29, 2009 I just got back from looking at a 1983 280zx Turbo Automatic. Car hasn't run in over a year and hasn't been registered since 1997. Forgot to get the mileage but it isn't going anywhere. The only rust I found was around the top of the windshield which is common here in Arizona. The owner is looking for best offer and wouldn't give an asking price. The problem, as stated by the owner, is that the computer keeps getting burned. He said that it ran great but as he was driving the computer started smoking and died. He got another and it did the same. He spoke to a few people and someone told him that it was a diode in the alternator, so he took it to an alternator rebuilder and they confirmed that it had a bad diode. He bought a new alternator, installed it and then started it up, this time keeping an eye on the computer, saw that it was getting hot and shut the car down and it has been sitting since. Looking at the car the engine harness doesn't look good and should be replaced, the cover for the fusible links is missing but the links are there in their original color. My feeling is that it is the harness but am wondering if there any other inherent problems that could cause the computer to smoke. I realize that this is a very general question but need some idea of what it would cost to get it running as I would like to make it a daily driver. Also I don't know anything about electrical systems and would have to take it somewhere to get it fixed. any and all help is greatly appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suparman Posted December 29, 2009 Share Posted December 29, 2009 I had a bad/ redundant ground in my stock car it was burning up my distributors Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelltainer Posted December 29, 2009 Share Posted December 29, 2009 yea check your grounds and the harness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
az240z Posted December 30, 2009 Author Share Posted December 30, 2009 I will if I buy the car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jared Posted December 30, 2009 Share Posted December 30, 2009 Best way to track down something like that is to take the ECM apart and see which circuit is burnt, trace it to the pin in the ECM connector, then find out what that pin goes to. From there it's just normal short finding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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