Well first off the fuse for my panel lights had been blowing whenever i would pull out the headlight switch turning them on. Yesterday i put another fuse in and dimmed the switch all the way to the right (off) i then pulled out the switch to turn the dash lights on and slowly rotated it towards on. About a quarter power on the dimmer the fuse hadnt blown yet but the headlight switch started smoking. I already ordered a new switch, will have it tomorrow. I was just wondering if anyone knows how many volts each wire going into the switch is supposed to put out? I dont wana fry a new switch, thanks.

 

not more than what is put out by the battery. It sounds to me like something is shorting out. If you'll note, your fuses are rated in amperes. Once you disconnect the battery you need to eyeball underneat the dash near the fuse panel and look for any exposed wires. You can try the switch to see if that's it first.

 

well the switch wasnt the problem, so anyone know which wire to the headlight switch is for the dash lights?, that'll give me my first wire to chase and find this short

 

Dash light wire is grey.

Done any work to/around the radio or console lately?

 

i havent but the previous owner had, heres a post i had previously made while trying to find out my problem. https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/elec...meone-i-d.html Tomorrow i might try pullin the radio out and see whats goin on back there, also i'll start chasein that grey wire

 

Ok so im sittin in my car right now, according to my haynes manual the wire for the dash lights from the switch to the fuse panel is green then grey to all the lights, so since the short is blowing the fuse and burned up the last switch when i barely had the dash lights lit that the short is gonna be on the green wire inbetween the switch and fuse panel correct?

 

well im stumped, i assumed that the short would have to be between the switch and fuse panel, so i bypassed it with a new wire after being unsuccesful in finding a short. I put in a new fuse with the led that lights when it blows, and once again i turned the lights on and rotated the dimmer **** as to slowly send it power and my new switch smoked for a second then the fuse blew. i know its not getting power from the lights side of the panel cause the led on the blown fuse would always be lit and it doesnt light till i turn the lights on? i really dont get this?

 

Finally! Sorry to keep posting but i finally found it! Hot wire for the shift indicator light had been cut and was grounding out, i also found under the dash an aftermarket security system that had all the main wires cut so i pulled that out as well