I have been having difficulty with my Nissan Fairlady Z's car alarm system. There is a security measure where I have to step on the clutch pedal and turn the key when I want to start the engine. Sometimes, I could not start the car even though I stepped on the clutch. This results in me having to open and close the door, and lock and unlock the car multiple times until it starts up. Other times, the remote control just would not work, no matter how many times I pressed the button. One fine day as I was trying to get inside the 350Z to go to work, the door would not open. I pressed the remote many times but the door handle was still lock. I figured it must have been the alarm system but when I went to the passenger side, the door was opened. I climbed in from the left side and opened the driver side door from the inside and it worked. The outside door handle must be broken. Thus, for the next few days, I had to go in through the passenger side and stick the key inside the ignition and roll down the driver side window. Then enter from the driver side by opening the door from the inside.
At first I was not in a hurry to fix this problem but then I was told I had to travel to another state for work. This seems like a good opportunity to take my 350Z out for a spin and enjoy the long highway (around 600 km round trip) but I would have to fix my 350Z. So, I have to replace the door handle quick. I contacted both Redsun Motorsport and a parts seller that specialize in 350Z parts to get an estimate. Lucky for me, the seller has a used one in stock. After consulting with Redsun on the price from this seller, I went ahead to visit the seller. The drive itself was 30 minutes but it took less than 10 minutes to replace the handle. There is a hook-like plastic component inside the handle that broke and you have to change the whole handle as that part could not be repaired. Redsun told me I should be careful with the handle and from now on I will only hold the door instead of the handle after I pull it. I was surprised that such an important part is made of plastic and could easily broken. Nissan should have designed this better.
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| Original with the broken part |
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| New (used) Handle |
After the handle problem was done, I was in a good mood and I remember that there was a bit more I need to do before the work trip. There is a car accessories shop near my office and I decided to drop by. This particular shop just opened few months ago and I have been wanting to visit. One important thing that I need to change is the wiper, in case it rains. The original one was a bit short and the rubber had came out. I am going to buy a longer one so that it could wipe more area. While I was waiting, I thought of something that is needed to be done on my 350Z. The previous owner wnet and chopped of the radio antenna that was sticking out from the rear fender. That is why I could not get any radio reception. Another thing is my fogged up right headlamp. I decided to ask the cost to defog my headlamp and install an indoor radio antenna. It was cheap and I went ahead and got all of the above done. The indoor antenna is just a small bar, the size of a long ruler and the guy had to remove the center console and join the wiring to the touch screen. I wanted to stick the antenna where the rear view mirror was but wiring was not long enough. So, it is now by the A pillar, stuck on the windscreen.
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New Wipers
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| Wiper Brand |
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Left: Radio Antenna on Rear Fender, Right: Missing Radio Antenna (Mine)
Location of Indoor Radio Antenna
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| Removing of Center Console |
As for the headlamp, there are a few processes. First, the perimeter of the headlamp is secured with masking tape. Then, the surface of the headlamp undergoes some wet sanding down with 3 different grades of sandpaper. Lastly, with some smoke producing contraption, the surface of the headlamp is coated with the smoke. Just like magic, the fog lifts up immediately. Clearing the surface and returning the headlamp to its clear glory. My headlamps are finally matching now. The best part is the total cost to install the antenna, defog the headlamp and new wipers are just a little above half of the cost of replacing the door handle. So much done but at a fraction of the price. That is what I call worth it. I definitely like the service and price at this accessories shop. I might come again for other installation like a new alarm system and the gear shift indicator I bought a year ago.
