Smoke from steering - Something wrong with Light Circuit

[Muad_dib77]

Smoke from steering column - something has gone wrong with my light circuit.

It all started rather innocently with a blown bulb in a tail light..
then the little "buzzer" thing died...You know then one that beeps if you open the door before turning off the lights..

I observed that the fuse had gone..

so I went and bought 4 new bulbs (might as well replace the lot now that I'm at it)

replaced the 10amp fuse in the box under the bonnet..

turned lights on.."pop" fuse blown..
wtf??
Try again..
'Pop'
Grr

took out all new bulbs
last fuse in
turn on lights
'pop'

Back to hullfords
larger box of fuses..different make..

Right last thing I did with the electrics in the car was refit the dvd player..which is working spot on.. but I'd better try removing it..

I notice that I never plugged in my ciggie lighter and that the two "spade" terminals could have been touching metal... figure I'd give this ago.. cover the spades..

new 10amp fuse in - fuse doesn't blow.. BUT there's smoke coming from the steering rack - the section right next to where the indicator stem goes in. - I'm Guessing that the annoying buzzer thing is located there.. and that's prolly all it is.. BUT I don't know how to get in there..

Did anybody have the "covers" off- I want to do it without breaking them or make the car appear as stolen.

oh the last fuse never blew - but it did melt it's plastic cover and the tail lights still didn't come on.. wtf!!?!

Thanks.

[CJ]

Theres a bare live shorting something out - check the cables from the indicator stalks, also check the fromt and rear light cables. Undo the 3 screws underneath the cowling and crack it half - 3 mins max.

CJ

[Muad_dib77]

Undid the 3 screws - missed the 4th
Cowling now langered.. feck it..

front lights are fine..they have been the whole time..

Black lead on indicator stalk is badly damaged...I'm guessing that was the source of the smoke..


oh and for humor factor - I removed the steering wheel to as to get better access.. smacked myself right in the face with it..

also just remembered - I recently sold a steering rack with a spare indicator stalk on it...

**behind!**

HARD!


***update***

Checked the rest of the wireing - it seems to be sturdier stuff - thank GOD - atleast I wont have to rewire half the dash...a replacement indicator stalk should do the job..

[CJ]

Undid the 3 screws - missed the 4th
Cowling now langered.. feck it..

Crap - sorry Muad!

Black lead on indicator stalk is badly damaged...I'm guessing that was the source of the smoke..

The foglights and the rear lights are linked - remove the foglight switch and check all wires and connectors, they have a tendancy to melt. I'be be reasonably sure the foglights are the missing link.

oh and for humor factor - I removed the steering wheel to as to get better access.. smacked myself right in the face with it..!

Steering wheel removal 101 - always leave the nut on 2 or 3 threads before pulling the wheel towards your face!

CJ

[Muad_dib77]

Steering wheel removal 101 - always leave the nut on 2 or 3 threads before pulling the wheel towards your face!

CJ

I'll definately not forget that any time soon... Just happy I didn't get myself a nice black eye..

(Update - apparently my nose is now more Red than normal... )

My Foglights are working fine - but I'll have a poke around the back of the switch to check the wires..

and I'm fairly sure the cowling will look good as new with the 3 screws holding it together..upon closer inspection the 4th screw didn't really do much of a job..probably why I didn't need to apply much force at all to split it open... Poo happens - and defo not your fault CJ.. Your advise is greatly appreciated..

(Update)
Getting replacement stalk tomorrow.. Hooray for the forum & DirtyLopez

Durty!

[Muad_dib77]

All sorted ... thanks to CJ and DirtyLopez.. and no thanks to Budweiser for providing a hangover and the Irish weather for lashings of rain..

I've replaced the 10amp fuse with a 5amp - I'd rather not have to do this again..

on the plus side this did give me a "chance" to finally use a few things that I've had sitting around..

1. Install blue led in ignition lightring thing
2. Replace sidelight bulbs with """"ultra bright megasuperuber white leds""" (TOTALLY worthwhile..)
3. Keen eyed observers might notice something else has gone missing..




Apologies for shakiness - but I was quite knackered after sticking it all back together..

Once again though I have to say:

I LOVE FTO-IRELAND - without the support and help I would not have been able to drive to work tomorrow.

/off to fetch Pizza..