Summary

 

So i started the small project of tidying up my 300zx, hopefully im going to get the interior back to its original state mabeye a small bit of retrimming, all water tight and new t bar seals, take suspension off clean and maintain any bushes around the suspension, led lamps all round and other small bits on the car which can be appretiated to happen from the age of the vehicle. i am doing a small report to get advice on certain jobs and problems. i will be starting with the simpler stuff such as interior and water ingress trouble before getting bigger items done such as brakes or engine work.

 

Problems

 

Boosting problem

water ingress

flickering dash lights

tatty interior

spongey brakes

hid problems

tatty number plates

 

 

1st day Investigating water ingress trough t bar and damaged of this

 

so today i started by removing the passenger side interior and lifting the carpet to find all the sound proofing was soaked with a horrible musky damp smell, to follow i noticed some rust areas on the seat fixing bolts, using my screwdriver i cleared away the worst of the rust to reveal a 100mm length hold about 10mm in width and a 2nd hole furthur to the rear about the size of a 2 pound coin. my plans are two simply weld a metal plate in place and treat with rust removal gel and rust primer. im not sure how bad the rust is on the drivers side as that is getting removed next sunday. i knew water ingress had been happening during the time ive owned the vehicle but this was a little bit of a shock but hopefully fixed and treated in a few weeks.

to follow i removed my t bar seal to find that the two corner sections of the rubber seal for the outside of the t bar had bad splits and corrosion not mentioning it was filled with S**T. also the end of the seal where the section above the wing mirror fits to was badly split.

i also checked the drsin tube on the passenger side i poured water in the dran hole but the water did take time to come through under the front wing, im still yet to find the connection to the rubber L grommet although im sure ive seen it on a JefTT thread :).

 

For the boosting problem:

i took an ecu diagnostics guide from the forum and follwed the steps today the results on the first test was 34 (detonation sensor) the 2nd time it read 55 ( no fault), im thining this is an intermitant fault as the boosting problem is intermitant, whether the water ingress and boosting problem on the detonation circuit are linked i am yet to find out but im thinking of taking it to a zed specialist locally to get the work done , hopefully the ecu diagnostic saved me time and therefor money.

 

Next week

 

• remove drivers side interior and carpet to examine water ingress damage
  
• check fuse box in drivers side footwell for damage
  
• removed instrument cluster to fix flickering dash led's
  
• if time remove headlights to be reconditioned and new seals applied.
  

 

 

i am posting this report as i have already had alot of help from the forum but any information you guys have on zeds is greatly appretiated so hopefully i can learn alot about the machine and become as useful as others at helping people with there cars. :)

 

i am rather new to the forum but will try and get some pictures up of work happening in the future once i sort out a photobucket account.

 

Marlow TT Cornwall

Summary

im thinking of taking it to a zed specialist locally to get the work done

 

Marlow TT Cornwall

 

Hi mate,

 

not sure what you mean by that.. as far as I know there is no Zed specialist in the south west.

if you know one please advise us.

or at least divulge and we can comment... :)

 

by the way do you actually have HIDs in the front lights or was that just your description because of the projector lens.

 

And, yeah, you are correct water into the cabin will cause all kinds of electrical issues and corrosion on connectors.

 

Best of luck.

i know theres one in penzance and one in bristol this is only information i have found on the forum. yes they are hid's someone bodged some h1's in there so i have light bouncing all round the place needs sorting, and what help is telling me something i already know about the corrosion and water i dont need reminding of what ive typed, any advice always appreciated, altho medallion man has given me zero. cheers

 

Marlow TT cornwall

The code 34 is quite a common problem and nine times out of ten its the loom and not the sensor. Can be bypassed very easily and for less then 50p.

 

Just a case of unplugging the det sensor and putting a 1M Ohm resistor from a shop like Maplians in its place.

 

Jimmer , Trading as Powerzed, is based in Bristol and he really knows his stuff.

 

Brakes wise 20 year old brakes could just be a case of getting a refurb to renew the pistons ETC I have seen these guys recomended on here before http://www.biggred.co.uk/

 

Hope that helps you a bit

Edited January 28, 201312 yr by Cyberbean

Thank you yes I will look into the bypass of det sensor although be good to get it done properly, does anyone know where the det sensor runs in the loom and from where?

Nd yea brakes are stadard calipers gonna strip each one refurb, refit new with new braided lines and new fluid.

Is £220 the cheapest you can get a t top rubber seal for?

 

Marlow TT Cornwall

 

Number 30 with blue arrow

 

It runs down into the engine and is a right arse to get to with the engine in place which is why most, including me bypass.

ideal :) do you have a full legend for this picture?

also is it best to bypass it just above the engine on the loom or is there an easier place?

http://www.300zx.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?26120-Engine-by-numbers will give you the rest.

 

Just unplug the sensor connector and put the resistor into the loom side take 5 minutes

perfect :) i will be trying this on sunday when i next work on the car, still got to sort floor welding,new sound proofing, repair interior just for the water ingress damage :/, oh well get there eventually :)

 

Marlow TT Cornwall

Matey, when it comes to spares, become a full member and you will be able to trade-both sell and buy. This will open the Forum up for you and give you a better tool for the future and its a steal (annual fee)

 

Good luck and keep us posted.

okay i just seen it was £20 annual fee :) il have to wait abit as money is shuffling round from going self employed and buying new van , hopefully get some money together and get a few nice bits for the Zed.

 

will post more info on progress after i next work on the car.

 

Marlow TT Cornwall

i know theres one in penzance and one in bristol this is only information i have found on the forum. yes they are hid's someone bodged some h1's in there so i have light bouncing all round the place needs sorting, and what help is telling me something i already know about the corrosion and water i dont need reminding of what ive typed, any advice always appreciated, altho medallion man has given me zero. cheers

 

Marlow TT cornwall

 

 

LOL... apologies if I've offended you.... I was just curious as to the Zed specials you mentioned without giving any names...

Yeah Jimmer is in Bristol (not that I would call that close :) ), not sure who is in Penzance.

I had my car down at Plymouth at Alen Jeffereys and although they where very nice and did their best I really didn't feel that they where experienced with Zed's at all.

 

for information on the wiring there are plenty of diagramming in the Service manual (although this one is for the US car and some things may be on the other side of the car)

 

bottom of the EL section...

 

http://z32.wikispaces.com/Factory+Service+Manual

 

I have a spare set of head lights that I can clean up and fix any adjustment cog issues for you if your ones are no good...

i also think I may have a few spare plastic boots for the.

 

anyway best of luck.. :)

Would anyone mind informing me if this resistor willl be sufficient to bypass my detonation sensor, i have searched and search for a 1 ohm resistor and am unsure of what type,voltage rating,tolerance. Looked at 12v led resistors but i dont want to buy something thats incorrect try it and have to re try.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2x-1-ohm-1R00-1R-10W-10-Watt-High-Power-Resistor-/180758552003?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Components_Supplies_ET&hash=item2a160c9dc3&_uhb=1

 

Marlow TT Cornwall

Would anyone mind informing me if this resistor willl be sufficient to bypass my detonation sensor, i have searched and search for a 1 ohm resistor and am unsure of what type,voltage rating,tolerance. Looked at 12v led resistors but i dont want to buy something thats incorrect try it and have to re try.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2x-1-ohm-1R00-1R-10W-10-Watt-High-Power-Resistor-/180758552003?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Components_Supplies_ET&hash=item2a160c9dc3&_uhb=1

 

Marlow TT Cornwall

 

No, a 1 ohm will not work....must be a 1 Mega ohm resistor, use a .25Watt(quarter watt) or a .5Watt( half Watt) resistor.

Your best bet is a good electrical shop like maplains, the one you need is only 30p

http://www.ealnet.com/m-eal/resistor/resistor.htm this might help identify it for you

Update on 300zx Tidy Up

 

Ongoing work

 

further investigation into water ingress is that i have a small amount of welding on the passenger floor but none on the drivers side :). to be done this week.

all tweed interior trim has been removed for retrimming in suede, (waiting on material to be delivered)

headlights have been removed cleaned and seals have be treated and cared to look like new :) when hid replacement lamps arrive will be fitting them all back together.

bumper had been removed ready for a nice black hex grill to be fitted.

bumper signal lights have been removed cleaned and sidelights drilled into the blanks for LED sidelight lamps to go in.

all front suspension has been cleaned and treated inc arch cards. whilst wheels were off.

engine bay has had a clean and tidy.

 

Left to do:

 

refit all interior once pieces have been re trimmed.

refit front bumper when grille and hid lamps arrive

rear suspension clean

matte black spray or wrap ( not sure yet) down each side and bumpers of zed leaving gloss black bonnet

new number plates to be fitted.

Detonation sensor resistor to be soldered into place, ( cannot proceed until bumper and lights are done to refit airflow sensor for the correct ecu diagnostics readout ) when testing the new resistor being fitted.

 

trying to get as much of the tatty bits tidied up but is a pain waiting for things to be delivered online :/ more updates when parts arrive and get fitted, will also try and get some pics

 

Marlow TT Cornwall