1 reply to this topic

[kierafearnley]

My 1988 Mayfair was out in heavy rain yesterday, ands half way through the journey my indicators and break lights stopped working but worked when i put the hazards on- so i drove home with no indicators but the car worked fine.

Today i replaced the poorly looking fuse and my indicators and break lights started working again.

Yet as i was feeling very smug i switched the engine on and whilst i was getting ready to set off smoke started pouring out from under the dashboard on the drivers side and alongside with it the smell of burning. The fuse box also looks angry. The indicators are now irregular so i know there is a short circuit but because of the risk of fire i can't drive it to a garage. 

I also don't want to pay for someone to fix it when they're may be a solution i could do myself, and as an 18 year old girl garages often look to over charge me because they think i don't know what I'm talking about.

If anyone could help i'd really appreciate it 

[KernowCooper]

Ok here is what I'd do first, I'd not switch the ignition on again and disconnect the battery until you have time to check behind the dash for any signs of burnt wiring and any wires which has the insulation split/exposed and touching earth, it could be a connection where the termination is dirty and this will cause a high resistance and heat and smoke and burn up the plastic insulation. So your fist port of call is in the area where you saw smoke, checking the above I have listed, if you have a workshop manual then you could identify the circuit involved by the colour on the wiring.

 

Just shout if you need help once you have had a visual