Hi, have 2 things bugging me, 1 on the air con dash pod, should the temp setting stay illuminated when the ignition is off as mine does. And the other problem is the ignition key release button, quite often it wont push in and release the key. Any help would be great, Thanks. Brian.

The illumination for the temp is on from the acc on turn 2 of the key, so yes its on till the last turn off, before releasing the key.

Spray a bit of contact cleaner or wd40 into the button hole and wiggle the key slightly as you press the button. Normally you should be able to press the button once with ease for the key to come out. You push the button and pull the key, its not a spring, pop out type affair.

The temp setting on my car stays illuminated even when i switch the ignition right off and remove the key, so this is not right ?

Hi, have 2 things bugging me, 1 on the air con dash pod, should the temp setting stay illuminated when the ignition is off as mine does. And the other problem is the ignition key release button, quite often it wont push in and release the key. Any help would be great, Thanks. Brian.

 

The air con dash staying lit when key out is an issue we have seen a few times, the issue comes down to the accessory relay in the rear of the fuseboard remaining energised.

 

This can be caused by either, a faulty ignition switch, a faulty (sticky ) accessories relay or a wring fault back feeding the fuse box accessories rail. the later is often caused by after market equipment such as alarms or

imobilisors even stereo`s badly installed can cause this.

 

A sticky relay is a possibility and changing it is the easiest method, however getting to it means the fusebox needs to be removed from the drivers side footwell which is a ball ache, one tip is to remove the drivers seat to at least prevent you breaking your spine!!

 

The ignition switch is reasonable easy to test with a multi meter, by removing the steering cowling the back of the switch is accessible, with the keys out only a single +12v should be there, will the key in position one there should be a new 12v+ output this is the accessories relay feed, check to see if this goes off with the key removed if not then change the switch, if it does it one of the other causes.

 

Hope that helps

 

Jeff TT

Thanks guys, got something to do at the weekend now.

The temp setting on my car stays illuminated even when i switch the ignition right off and remove the key, so this is not right ?

 

Ah sorry bud, you should have been clearer in your description lol.

 

As you said no it should not be lit, do as Jeff suggests, but to make life easier, check your key barrel and wires on the ign first. If you are having problems releasing the key, it may be related to a duff ignition switch or a short in the wires to it which might be causing the climate pod to light.

Ah sorry bud, you should have been clearer in your description lol.

 

As you said no it should not be lit, do as Jeff suggests, but to make life easier, check your key barrel and wires on the ign first. If you are having problems releasing the key, it may be related to a duff ignition switch or a short in the wires to it which might be causing the climate pod to light.

SPOT ON MR GROOVER, took off the ignition cowling and it looks like someones soaked the whole ignition with some sort of oil, and it was shorting out the electrics. Got a tin of electrical cleaner, gave it a good clean and Bobs your uncle, climate control goes off. Lucky it did'nt catch fire i recon. Cheers guys.

SPOT ON MR GROOVER, took off the ignition cowling and it looks like someones soaked the whole ignition with some sort of oil, and it was shorting out the electrics. Got a tin of electrical cleaner, gave it a good clean and Bobs your uncle, climate control goes off. Lucky it did'nt catch fire i recon. Cheers guys.

 

Thats good news. :clap:

Drove it to work today, pulled up, switched ignition off, and its doing it again:headvswal Know what im doing tomorrow.

Don`t you just love zeds!!!!!!!!!

 

Jeff TT

is it possible the oil pressure gauge is dripping on its connection to the cluster....? or are they powered by an eletrical supply

Right i've looked at the online 300zx manual, and the auto trans and the a/c are linked in a few electrical diagrams, does anyone know if they share a live feed or relay ect... anywhere? JeffTT mentions the fuse/relay box in the drivers footwell, now im sure i can hear something going on in this area when i switch the ignition off and the A/C does go off as it should. This sounds like it could be a simple fix, but its just tracing the fault.

Electrical mate, someone may have sprayed the connections thinking it was contact cleaner lol

 

Sometimes they are covered in a lithium type grease to stop corrosion

The oil looked and smelled like wd40, i recon the last owner thought the ignition key release button was seizing up so gave it a squirt. Thing is whenever i turn the engine off and can't release the key with the button the A/C temp display is lit up aswell, so must be a link. Also i have to un-hook the battery cause there is a 3.5 amp drain. Does anyone know what powers the key release button on the ignition, i've been told its a sensor on the gear selector?

Remove the plastic cowl around the ignition lock, you will see at the back of the barrel on top a small solenoid that can easily be removed, the key lock with then be completly gone.

 

The heater, air con power on issue still looks like the relay in the back of the fuse box.

 

Jeff TT

JeffTT, found the fuse box you mention, and with the battery connected there is a sizzling sound coming from that area, so you could be on the ball. Got an electrition friend coming round in the morning to trace it.

Sorted, JeffTT spot on mate, some cowboy wiring on the fusebox shorting out. The only niggle now is the seatbelt warning light stays on after ive put it on, any ideas to what may cause this anyone.