Lighting Legality Problem

Rob Gaskin

Treasurer
Staff member
Site Administrator
Folks, one of our members (Forum name ZX300) has asked me a few questions:

Hi Rob

I have run into a problem here in Ireland in regard to the annual car test, and I
was wondering if any other member might have run into a similar problem.

The car went in for the usual annual test, but was failed on the ground that the
dim/dip switch did not meet current european standards. This issue has never arisen
any time I took the car for testing in Ireland or the UK before,

To cover all bases would you have any information on he following points -

1 How do I confirm that the import was a european and not a japanese version of
the car. Is there any registration number I should look for.

2 Was there a change in european dim/dip requirements after 1993, and if so would
the changes have applied to cars before that date

3 How can the dim/dip switch be adapted to meet current european requirements

Hope you can help

Look forward to hearing from you

Regards

Patrick Mc Nally
 

Dale

Club Member
I take it it's the below manual the testers use? I can't see anything in it that would constitute a failure apart from a defective switch. Surely the tester should give a proper reason?

http://www.ncts.ie/NCT Manual Revise May 2012.pdf

Item.

Dip or Headlamp Switch.

Reason for failure.

10 Insecurely mounted or missing.
11 Defective.
 

tel240z

Club Member
I think an explanation of dim dip lights is needed here as follows

Dim dip lights were around in the late 80s, what it does is swich half voltage to the main beam lamp when the side lamps are on and the ignition is swched on thus giving a softer but not dazzling light to the car, quite popular in its day but now forgoten looks like its been taken over now by daytime running lights
 

Gio

Well-Known Forum User
OK Chassis no matches Z32 2+2 NA and according to this Australian 300ZX Owners Association Technical Library: Content / Buying a Zed?, what you should know!!! / Checking the actual year of manufacture via VIN number is pre 93.
As far as I know, these did not have "dim/dip". For sure my 93 NA didn't. More info on dating and stuff here Import Dating Model Development TwinTurbo.NET: Nissan 300ZX forum
Oh, and sorry, if it's RHD, it's JDM because UK didn't have NA. (I guess it might be Aus but it's not on their list). Mr F might be able to look up chassis no more definitively.
HTH, Gio
 

Rob Gaskin

Treasurer
Staff member
Site Administrator
Thanks Gio, I've been out all day and haven't had time to look at this stuff nor get back to member.
 

Mr.F

Inactive
Chassis number dates to 07/89 on FAST but doesn't pull up al data. Would need model number also.
The workshop manual shows that Z32s could be equipped with a "daytime light system" which also incorporates a dim-dip system.
Described thus:
"After starting the engine with the lighting switch in the "OFF" position, the headlamp low beam and clearance, tail, licence and instrument lights automatically turn on. Other lighting switch operations are as conventional lighting system.
I've never seen this happen on any import I've ever had. It is particular to the UK spec Z32s. A control unit for dim-dip is to be found on the parts listing and is located in the LH inner wing. If so, maybe the MOT tester is reading a specification which includes that data and is applying it to all Z32s...?
 
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