Melted wire :S

[GUITAR1989]

Hey guys hows it going. I got some autometer gauges and started wiring them up today and i came across something horrible looking theres a wire that has pretty much melted through the coating on it. I started following it back to its source but it was dark outside so this is all i could find out before i headed in for the night. from what i can see so far its coming out of the light switch that controlls the interior and head lights its black and goes down toward the fuse panel. my guess is its a ground thats taking to large of a load for its gauge or something along those lines. so does anybody know how i should fix this. please be descriptive with your explanation ive never done any car wiring before....all i know about wiring is what ive done on my guitars ha ha

[VileZambonie]

Take pics

[beastie_3]

Dont guitars have strings?

[jaredts]

I assumed he meant electric guitar!

[GUITAR1989]

ha ha yeah electric guitars. ok i got a pic of where the wire is coming out of the light switch

the wire gets much worse than it is in the picture. at some points its melted all the way through the coating on the wire.

[VileZambonie]

Replace the switch and the pigtail. Check all of the associated wiring. Now would be a good time to upgrade the harness to a relay operated headlamp circuit.

[GUITAR1989]

so was it the switch that caused this wire to melt? If i get a new switch and rewire it the new wire in that exact spot wont melt again right? could there be anything else causing the wire to melt? i just dont wanna blow 20 bucks on the new switch and have it melt the wires again thanks for your help by the way oh yeah what does a relay operated headlamp circuit do?

[beastie_3]

I dont know if it is just a bad switch or not, but carefully trace all wires and make sure there isnt anything wrong down the line. x2 on the upgraded harness. The problem with this wiring system is that all the power goes through the switch, then to your headlights. Installing relays will take the load off the switch.

[GUITAR1989]

ah i see. thats actualy really cool. it seems like that would keep my new wires from frying like these ones did seems like a great upgrade and a cheep one...my favorite kind. i wanted to have my new gauges in but i guess ill hold off so i can get a new switch and wire it up to a relay well im off to search for some info on how to wire that up i guess thanks again

[beastie_3]

http://73-87.com/7387garage/exterior/headlight_relay.htm

Or you can buy a kit.

[bake74]

  Thanks beastie, that will help me out a lot, as I am sure a lot of other plp too.

[beastie_3]

http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=14640.0

[GUITAR1989]

I ordered that kit from  . Theres a video of a guy installing it on a 73 stepside and it looks easy. ill post some pics of my gauges once i get them in so you guys can take a look thanks for the help btw vile and beastie both of u have helped me alot on here and i really appreciate it

[VileZambonie]

Glad to help. Just remember to trace that circuit to determine what caused the circuit overload and make sure you are using the proper circuit protection. Wiring harness meltdowns are more common in Fords than GM's. All manufacturers are using relay operated systems now.

[beastie_3]

X2 on finding the cause.