Temporary disaster ...

Wiring, lights, heater controls, anything electrical..
Post Reply
User avatar
1surfer
Sweptline.ORG Member
Sweptline.ORG Member
Posts: 94
Joined: Mon Oct 05, 2015 8:37 am
City: Breckenridge
State: CO

Temporary disaster ...

Post by 1surfer »

So I had a bit of a temporary disaster yesterday eve.

The truck is in the garage to work on as its getting bit cool outside here at 10,000' ASL.

I was trying to install a new speedo cable but it was the wrong one. Got that sorted out and found the right one.

I have been having trouble with the emergency flasher so I decided to see if I could get it to work while the gauge panel was out.
They key was off and I took the flasher unit out and put it back in. The flasher switch was on. I found that if I pushed up a very slight bit the flasher would work.
I had been looking in through the open gauge panel and had brought my right hand up from under the dash to reach the flasher unit.
I was going to pull my hand out and turn the flasher switch off and then on again to see if it would still work. Good news right ?
Upon starting to pull my hand out I bumped the Lt Blue wire that comes from the back of little red warning light. I heard a small crackle or snap like something was arcing a little. I decided to touch that wire and see if it was loose. It pretty much arced and melted the wire and seemed to run towards the back of the gauge panel.

The Amp meter had been bypassed, the key was off and it did blow a fuse. There was a god amount of smoke so I disconnected the battery.

I disconnected the back of the red light socket and there was no bulb inside. The hot wire must have touched the ground wire or something.

I kind of sat there thinking WTF dd I just do ?
I did not see any other melted wires. Nothing obvious.

Went in the house and called it a day. So now i get to go out, replace the fuse, re connect the battery and see what happens ? I guess I will see if the truck starts.
I love a good adventure .... Hoping for the best, prepared for the worst.

Any words of advise ? :banghead
1968 W100 4x4
2008 2500 Cummins 4x4 Crew Cab
High Rockies

User avatar
Hobcobble
Forum Moderator
Forum Moderator
Posts: 14573
Joined: Wed Dec 31, 1969 6:00 pm
Location: Lockport, NY

Re: Temporary disaster ...

Post by Hobcobble »

1surfer wrote: Any words of advise ? :banghead
Is your garage insured for fires? :thinking :lol:

I'd print this out:
http://www.sweptline.com/tech/68wire.jpg

Get a look at the brake warning light circuit on the
diagram and see if you can trace the scorched wire
to the source of the problem. I'd be very leery of
connecting your battery until you've done a bit of
inspection of the harness and fuse block first. :idea :2cents
John

User avatar
1surfer
Sweptline.ORG Member
Sweptline.ORG Member
Posts: 94
Joined: Mon Oct 05, 2015 8:37 am
City: Breckenridge
State: CO

Re: Temporary disaster ...

Post by 1surfer »

I do have that drawing. I studied it pretty hard and then inspected every wire and wire attachment.
I did grab one of the fire extinguishers from the house.
The fuse was not blown, I was mistaken. Must have been a shadow.
Looked at the gauge panel for a long time.
Secured the warning light connection so it would not arc again.
I got the fire extinguisher ready, next to me in the cab.
Connected the battery, turned the key and BAM ! It started. Everything works that was working.

I felt like MacGyver defusing a bomb or something .... :clap
1968 W100 4x4
2008 2500 Cummins 4x4 Crew Cab
High Rockies

User avatar
Cris
Sweptline.ORG Member
Sweptline.ORG Member
Posts: 445
Joined: Thu Jul 28, 2011 5:05 pm
City: Berthoud
State: CO

Re: Temporary disaster ...

Post by Cris »

Just wondering if any of the components were marked LUCAS.?
I love hearing stories with happy endings on electrical stuff.!
My truck, '66 W200 Crewcab. Got any parts.?

User avatar
Hobcobble
Forum Moderator
Forum Moderator
Posts: 14573
Joined: Wed Dec 31, 1969 6:00 pm
Location: Lockport, NY

Re: Temporary disaster ...

Post by Hobcobble »

Cris wrote:Just wondering if any of the components were marked LUCAS.?
I love hearing stories with happy endings on electrical stuff.!
Ahhhh...... LUCAS..... The inventors of darkness. :lol: :joker

John

User avatar
1surfer
Sweptline.ORG Member
Sweptline.ORG Member
Posts: 94
Joined: Mon Oct 05, 2015 8:37 am
City: Breckenridge
State: CO

Re: Temporary disaster ...

Post by 1surfer »

Nothing marked "Lucas " ....

You guys are great. Thanks for the help.

If you want to stop by and help me get all 6 of my yokes off, that would be great too ...
1968 W100 4x4
2008 2500 Cummins 4x4 Crew Cab
High Rockies

User avatar
dodgeboykim
Sweptline.ORG Pioneer
Sweptline.ORG Pioneer
Posts: 3004
Joined: Wed Dec 31, 1969 6:00 pm
City: Chilliwack. B.C. Canada
State: Foreign
Location: chilliwack.

Re: Temporary disaster ...

Post by dodgeboykim »

Hobcobble wrote:
Cris wrote:Just wondering if any of the components were marked LUCAS.?
I love hearing stories with happy endings on electrical stuff.!
Ahhhh...... LUCAS..... The inventors of darkness. :lol: :joker

John


Dr Lucas, The Prince of darkness. :lol:
My truck is younger than me.
66 W100. 70 D 500 , 69 Hiab Speed Loader. 96 Ram 3500 Club Cab Cummin's 5 spd. 97 Ram 1500 Club Cab 5.9 gas auto. 83 W200 LB Propane 360 auto 09 Yammy Rhino 700.

LuckyBaldwin
Sweptline.ORG Member
Sweptline.ORG Member
Posts: 30
Joined: Tue May 05, 2015 9:21 pm
City: Stockton
State: CA

Re: Temporary disaster ...

Post by LuckyBaldwin »

reminds me of an old one

Q: know why the british always drink warm beer?

A: they all own lucas refrigerators

User avatar
Hobcobble
Forum Moderator
Forum Moderator
Posts: 14573
Joined: Wed Dec 31, 1969 6:00 pm
Location: Lockport, NY

Re: Temporary disaster ...

Post by Hobcobble »

:goodpost :lol: :lol:

Post Reply