Smoke out of my dash.....

[SystemsWorks]

Hi, Could someone please help me understand why when i pull the light switch knob out on my dash, no lights come on, the engine cuts out then smoke starts coming out of the dash.....hhmmm

Noot good im sure. I turned the ignition off and pushed the knob back in and it seems fine. Engine startred back up and all seemed fine. Drove it about 30 miles with no hassle.

Im thinking it could be the switch????? but im no expert as ive on had this bus for 6 weeks and it is my first...

 

[KateLovesPurple]

Very difficult to say for sure but very likely your switch has failed and is shorting out the main feed. The only way to tell, is to get your head under the dash and have a look at the switch and wiring. Look for burning and loose connections. Check the wiring against your Haynes manual.

 

[SystemsWorks]

Stupid question. How does the switch work??

Ive only used the van in the day light and never turned the switch on untill now. You can turn it and pull it out what does each action do..

Yes i agree i should know...

 

[Rusty Lee]

if it was me knowing nothing about wiring id have an auto electrcian check it out as you may have some electrical faults and u dont want a fire but thats just what i wuld do.

 

[froggy]

Stupid question. How does the switch work??

Ive only used the van in the day light and never turned the switch on untill now. You can turn it and pull it out what does each action do..

Yes i agree i should know...

When you pull the switchout 1 click, this is sidelights, the 2nd click is dipped beam. When you turn the switch this adjusts the dash board lights (making them brighter)

Does sound like you have a short circuit on the wiring somewhere

 

[Araon]

Pull out for lights 2 clicks side lights then dipped rotate to alter/turn on the dash backlight

http://www.vintagebus.com/wiring/index.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

the link has wiring diagrams I'd stick your nose under the dash and have a quick nosey, disconnect the battery and look at the switch its simple to remove from the dash for a closer look, unscrew the knob then you have the ali collar with notchs' you need to unscrew that and the switch will draw out of the back of the dash and drop down this should give you enough slack to have a closer look at the wiring and connections.

it may be the wiring is showing obvious signs as its been smoking, the likely causes are connector shorting to dash if the switch has rotated, previous owner has cobbed the wiring or the switch has gone short cct.... I'm betting the PO has ballsed up....

You need to confirm wether your van is a 70 or 71 built in 70 to use the correct diagrams plus us busses have a few minor differences to their wiring but it should help....

 

[bluebay]

It sounds like you have a short.Live wire touching eart (body),when you switch lights on.As said find which wire is the supply then follow it,it will be a long process but its the only way you may be lucky and find it pretty quick.

 

[SystemsWorks]

Thanks guys, you are all very helpful. I will investigate this morning and get back to you all.

 

[dave]

Where are you in Suffolk, may be able to come and have a look for you, i am near Woodbridge, PM me if you need a hand.

 

[SystemsWorks]

Right i have taken my clocks out to see the damage...

I have a brown wire melted running from the light switch to the fuse box. Cant see any other damage.

I checked the wiring diagram as forwarded by Araon (Many thanks) and believe it is the supply to my rear lights.

I have removed the burnt cable . Found some wires in the rear just laying around without any cover or tape on so i taped them up. i tested the lights without this cable and only the front ones work. No side lights...or rear.

I thinks its this wire on the diagram.

Tomorrow i will replace the cable as ive run out of light.

Im a bit scared, does it sound like im on the right track....

Cheers

 

[ronmidg]

be careful, it does not look like the burnt wire was itself shorting, so it must be downstream, so it should have blown the relevant fuse, I would see what is in the two fuses before replacing and trying the new wire. It could be old damage on this wire. Can you see the downstream wires? they are each smaller (should be) than the one you are looking at so the faulty one should be more damaged. Is there anything piggybacked onto the two fusebox terminals the burnt wire feeds?

 

[SystemsWorks]

Nothing is piggy backed and the fuses seem fine.

Also the wires from the fuse box back are ok????????????

I will also grab so new fuses on the way home and replace them...

 

[crede999]

hi i may be totally wrong but i had a similar problem on my roadtrip last year smoke coming from dash and no rear lights , i pissed about for an hour under dash and could see a melted wire like yours anyhow i traced them back and it turned out the side rear running light wires had fused themselves together !!! (the red ones on the side of the van ) i replaced these with some fresh wire and a new fuse and happy days were off again ,
id check all the wires to rear lights and rear running lights , will only take a few minutes
worth a shot and hope this helps

regards
chris

 

[dave]

First thing i would do is check fuse size, then check all wiring for signs of damage, pay particular attention to where wires go through grommets etc.

 

[Htotheunit]

Thank god you found that before it got any worse! I had a fire under there once, Wasn't a pretty sight!

 

[SystemsWorks]

Thanks for all your assistance. Tidyed everything up as advised and now seems fine. Definately a loose wire earthing out some where.