I had a smoking dash once, turned out to be coincidental with a recent
install "new from the junkyard" headlight switch.

The wire that smoked (and melted) was the one that came from the
rheostat/dimmer on the switch to supply power to the dash lights (not
instrument cluster). I don't know if I pinched a wire or the switch was at
fault, but the short did not blow a fuse (surprised me).

Please check the wiring from your switch carefully and find out what is
going on before you use your lights again. It is a real pain in the tuchus
to replace melted wires.

Alistair

--
'82 Westy -> diesel converted to gas in '94
albell@uvic.ca
http://homepage.mac.com/alistairbell/home/

> From: Chris Winesette <Chriswinesette@AOL.COM>
> Reply-To: Chriswinesette@AOL.COM
> Date: Wed, 22 May 2002 09:44:28 EDT
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Smoking Dash
>
> Last night on the way home I smelt something burning (electrical burn).  It
> went away and then came back.  After a while my dash lights and head lights
> began turning on and off.  Through the darkness I realized that smoke was
> coming out of my dash (above the headlight switch)  I pulled over and turned
> the switch off.  I had to drive the rest of the way home pulling the brights
> on.  Is this what happens when the switch goes bad, or is it more serious.
>
> thanks
> chris
>