1982 Datsun 280 ZX electrical problem, can you help?

[SanJosePete]

Hi I have a 1982 Datsun 280 ZX and recently I connected the battery after charging it for a nice start up, and the electricity to the entire dashboard went out, along with juice to the tail lights, wipers, horn, windows, mirror controls, lighter. As well as the speedometer, and tachometer, oil gauge, and clock not working. But the front headlights are working and the engine started and ran just fine.

It's a sweet old car I bought in 1986 and has 166K miles. I checked the fuses on the passenger side and saw no problems but maybe there is something else easy to check or replace. Does anyone have any ideas since I can do tune ups OK but am stumped by many electrical problems. Are there any other things that I can check with a voltmeter. Are there any modules to be replaced that wear out. Are there any other items that are for circuit overloads. Since this old car is 42 years did some electrical component wear out since so many things went out all at once, and had been working perfectly just before I connected the battery.

It was during a rainy period but nothing inside engine compartment got wet. Could it be a harness of wires damaged somewhere. But car has had no accidents to cause any problems. Perhaps you know someone who knows if you don't.

Thank you ahead of time if you have any ideas, what a great forum !

[SanJosePete]

Hello, well the problem seems to have mostly solved itself..........as I did nothing in terms of repairs but let it sit in the sun for many sunny days and warm up. I can only assume moisture got in somewhere and caused a short and then dried out.

I found out when driving the car that the speedometer was actually working all along, and the odometer too.

When warming the car's engine up one day a week or so ago, the electrical for the side mirrors starting working, slowly at first but normal now.

Then today the lighter, horn, wipers, dash gauges like gas, oil pressure and battery, tachometer, rear light assemblies, and directional lights came to life and started working properly. The engine is in great shape at 166K miles, it's been a fun car to drive.

BUT the side windows are still not operational, perhaps in time they will work.