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Discussion Topic:
Smoking wire
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bp1940 |
05-07-2025 @ 1:55 PM
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Member
Posts: 19
Joined: Dec 2024
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I just was going to take my 40 Tudor for a ride. I hooked up the battery and when I started it the spotlight started smoking. I immediately unhooked the battery. The wire is melted all of the way to about 4 inches from where it connects to the ignition switch. The car is all stock 6v positive ground. The wire harness is a cloth covered harness that has been recently replaced. I almost lost an old car about 40 years ago. I only have the battery connected while driving. I carry a wrench in my pocket while driving for the battery. I removed the wire from the switch for the spotlight . I'm a little nervous to try to start it.
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carcrazy |
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05-07-2025 @ 2:37 PM
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Senior
Posts: 1975
Joined: Oct 2009
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Trace this burned wire to the place where it connects to the ignition switch and remove it completely. Once you have done this you should be able to reconnect your battery and drive your car without any fear.
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hueyhoolihan |
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05-07-2025 @ 2:56 PM
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Member
Posts: 5
Joined: Nov 2024
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i would suspect the new harness was wired up to the light incorrectly. so i would keep a close watch on all wires when the ignition is turned on, even before attempting to start the car.
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bp1940 |
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05-07-2025 @ 5:54 PM
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Member
Posts: 19
Joined: Dec 2024
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I totally removed the wire. The switch looks perfectly fine. I'm always concerned about leaking fuel and wiring issues. I received all of the receipts with the vehicle. One of the last things was a shop installed a new ignition switch.
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JayChicago |
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05-07-2025 @ 7:17 PM
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Senior
Posts: 555
Joined: Jan 2016
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Good you caught this so quickly. Probably no problem with ignition switch or you would see damage to it. The short to ground was in the light or the wiring to it. After you find and fix the short, suggest you add an in-line fuse in the wire going to the light just after the ignition switch.
Yeah, would be nice if our old cars had a fuse on every circuit like modern cars.
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kubes40 |
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05-08-2025 @ 7:55 AM
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Senior
Posts: 3573
Joined: Oct 2009
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Also, there should be a rubber grommett at the instrument panel to protect the wire.
Mike "Kube" Kubarth
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40 Coupe |
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05-10-2025 @ 5:36 AM
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Senior
Posts: 1799
Joined: Oct 2009
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From the burn on the wire it appears the spot light has a short circuit and was not protected by a fuse. The ON/OFF switch is part of the ignition and not fused. The spot light should have been connected to a fuse just for the spot light and then to the battery - terminal of the light relay. Yes removing the wire at the ignition switch and all the way to the light, will allow you to drive safely.
Typically the spot light uses a wire surrounded by a metal armor cover. I believe the wire is still available.
This message was edited by 40 Coupe on 5-11-25 @ 5:10 AM
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lyly19 |
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05-25-2025 @ 7:51 PM
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Posts: 1
Joined: May 2025
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Can you suggest the proper fuse type and installation to protect the headlights in this case?
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This message was edited by efv8CofAAdmin on 5-25-25 @ 8:04 PM
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TomO |
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05-28-2025 @ 9:21 AM
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Senior
Posts: 7384
Joined: Oct 2009
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The headlight circuit is protected by the circuit breaker under the dash. It is designed to give you flashing headlights if a short occurs so you can safely pull over to the side of the road.
Tom
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