Parking Light Switch Melted

[chas4za]

This is my first posting! I do hope it works!

My 1984 Pininfarina Azzurra had been in restoration/ idle for 10+ years. Once I was done restoring it, I had a pro shop check it out and ensure its road-worthy-ness. Next was getting it inspected.

Before taking it to be inspected, I decided to check all lights; so, i turned them on; within minutes the car filled with smoke coming from the steering column, just behind the wheel. Some days later, I pulled the steering wheel and saw that the parking switch had melted. Upon further inspection, I identified the following:

• Two wires (one white, one black) from the wire-harness attach to the parking light switch;
• A second white wire connects the parking light switch to the headlight switch; I cut this wire;
• Headlights work; side marker lights and tail lights do not work;
• I then cut the white wire leading from the wire harness to the parking switch; now the parking switch is out of the loop;
• If I connect the white wire from the headlight switch directly to the white wire from the harness, it heats up quick.

I am thinking I have a short somewhere, but am not sure. I reviewed the wiring diagrams to no avail.

I welcome suggestions on what the issue might be and/or how to find the problem.

Thank you in advance for you help!

Chas

[TX82FIAT]

Chas, do you have a wiring diagram? You need to work the white wire backwards through the diagram. Sounds like a hot to ground situation. It is not popping a fuse so that is odd, check to make sure you have the right amp fuses in the right slots. Did the shop do any work on the circuits?

[chas4za]

I checked the fuses and found a 25A fuse in the 7th & 8th positions. So, after replacing them with 8A fuses, the white wire does not get hot and some of the side marker lights now work. Progress, but still puzzling.

It is interesting that the 8A fuse did not blow. I am now suspicious of the wire harness that squeezes around the steering shaft, up under the dash - I did giggle it a bit before proceeding. Perhaps it is/was touching the dash at one point; will have to drop the shaft to ensure.

Will keep you all posted!