Wiring Harness Recommendation and Installation Instructinos for a 1978 Datsun 280Z

Expert Reply:

Does your wiring harness have a converter box on it? It would be a small black box that would have the 4 wires exiting one side, and 5 wires exiting the other. If not, because of the fact that your 280Z uses a separate circuit for the brake light and the directional signals, you will need a converter. I would recommend the Circuit Protected Tail Light Converter Kit, part # 119175KIT.

As far as installing the harness goes, I do not have any specific wiring information about your particular vehicle, but the process is pretty straightforward, and I would be happy to walk you through it.

In order to identify which of the existing tail light circuits on your vehicle serve which function, you will need a circuit tester, like the one included in the Converter Kit, or such as part # 40376.

You will need to access the rear of the tail light assemblies on both sides of the vehicle. Starting on the drivers side, have a helper activate the left turn signal. Use your tester to probe the wires until you locate the wire that makes the tester blink along with the turn signal. Once found, tap the yellow wire on the INPUT side of the converter box into this circuit. Next, probe the wires until you find one that makes the tester light up when the head lights are turned on. Tap the brown wire into this circuit. Then, have your helper press the brake pedal. Test the remaining wires until you locate the wire with current, and tap the red wire into this circuit. The white wire will have a ring terminal on the end of it, use a self-tapping screw to attach to a metal portion of the vehicle, or use an existing grounding point if one is available. The remaining green wire attaches to the turn signal circuit on the passenger side of the vehicle. Once again, have the helper activate the right turn signal while you use the tester to locate the correct wire.

At first glance this install might seem a bit involved, but if you proceed step by step, you should have no problem.

expert reply by: Mike L