Hi guys!

I've got an electrical problem in my 1982 4bbl 305 Z28 I need help with. I've fried something... Pulling out of my garage for work one day both headlights flashed (burned out) within 5 seconds of each other. I didn't think too much of it except that it was wierd that they both died in such a short span of time. Five minutes later my engine died and both my dash signal indicators turned on, but with the left being brighter than the right. Then, smoke started coming out from behind my RPM gauge. I pulled over and turned the car off. Now, it won't start, and accesories don't work (although the radio was still on before I turned the car off). Strangely, the high beams still work as do the hazards - except that from the outside only the front passenger's park light and rear driver's side light blink.

All the fuses are fine, so now I've taken the dash off and apart and ripped out the wire harness, but can't find where a short has occurred. The only place I've seen any evidence of smoke (smell and soot) is in the RPM gauge housing.

Before all these problems began I had reassembled the steering column, installed a new receiver and put in a better set of 6x9s. I don't think the receiver is an issue as I had an aftermarket one before.

I've got my hands on a wiring harness from an 86 2.8L TPI which seems almost identical and now I'm comparing the two. Does anyone now what this blue box does? Also, the 86 harness has had something cut out of it. Any idea what used to be connected to the beige and gray, and black, grey and yellow wires? Wiring diagrams aren't helping me too much.

I'd appreciate and help or suggestions as to the cause of my electrical nightmare. Thanks!

 

Sorry, here's the pic again.

 

Even though the fuses arn't blowing anyone doesn't mean the problem is gone. You have a short somewhere and I'de put money on it that it is around your steering column.