To continue (from the March 1995 newsletter)....
The 1970-1974 Z car front parking light/turn signal assembly, aesthetically mounted below the bumper, is frequently a magnet for electrical gremlins. The gremlins are intermittent and/or inoperative front parking lights intermittent and/or inoperative front turn signals or a parking light fuse that blows for no apparent reason.
The only thing between the bulb housing and the elements is a rubber gasket. After a quarter century or so the gasket becomes brittle and cracks allowing water to come in contact with the electrical innards. This combination of a leaking gasket and a light housing, only inches off the pavement, is an invitation to electrical illness.
Frequently, automobile manufacturers, in an effort to save .000001ยข per car, build light housings and their electrical components as one expensive unit. Datsun, in their wisdom, did not. The front running light reflector and bulb holder/wiring are 2 separate parts. This arrangement allows the 240/260 owner to replace the modestly priced bulb holder and attached wiring if he or she suspects a gremlin attack.
The down side of this arrangement is parts availability. If you need, or think you may need in the future, one or both of these pieces, don't hesitate. The supply is starting to dry up and when it's gone, I'm sure Nissan won't resume production.
Michael McGinnis
Banzai Motorworks
