Dash and headlights not working

[BrooklynAnnarkie]

My dash and headlights went out years ago in my 1980 Datsun 210 Wagon

 

I'd taken her to the shop at the college (where I got my automotive degree) and our tests led us to believe that it was the combination switch. 

 

But I replaced the switch last year (it took FOREVER to find one) Still nothing.

 

Fuses are fine... and there isn't even a headlight fuse in the box.

 

Yet now I'm starting to remember exactly what happened when they went out:

 

I was driving home and aside from the headlights flickering, the dashlights turned from their bluish-green to a bright orange, like maybe something burned out/ blew up under the dash.

 

Any ideas to guide me as I tear off the dashboard and go digging? 

[80datson]

Find out what blew up under the dash, and maby follow those wires ams check to see if it's shorted out or something (:

[BrooklynAnnarkie]

Thank you. On the bright side, either way I have to pull the dashboard because I'd bought a new one from Colourbox and I've been wanting to install it for awhile! :D

[80datson]

Thank you. On the bright side, either way I have to pull the dashboard because I'd bought a new one from Colourbox and I've been wanting to install it for awhile! :D

Nice!! Got any pics!?

[BrooklynAnnarkie]

This is a "before" pic (and of her prettiest side, lol) because I've done a lot of work on her since. Right now her front end is torn apart and we're straightening the body before putting on the new fenders and core support. 

 

http://community.ratsun.net/topic/63409-1980-datsun-210-wagon-little-beast/?do=findComment&comment=1123530

[80datson]

Nice wagon (B what are your plans for paint

[BrooklynAnnarkie]

I want to do her original satin blue... and have flames on the sides. But it'll be awhile before I can afford that, so she'll just be black primer for a year or two once the body work's done. 

 

However, I think I'll play that up and put some hearse-bar decals in the back windows. 

[ericsb210]

In the past I have had a B210 do the same thing. I hunted forever for it. It turned out to be in the wiring harness. When Nissan mated multiple wires together they strip open the one and crimp the other wire leads to this point with a tiny brass crimp. It was at that point (the crimp point) that a ground lead wire had broken off.

[BrooklynAnnarkie]

Thanks! I'll have to look for that.

[CWhip]

Rockauto has the combo switch for just under $40. Fyi.