Vanagonauts:

I started my bus the other day to the sound of a crackling electrical
short somewhere under the instrument panel, accompanied by a small wisp
of smoke.  After pulling the instrument panel, I can report the
following symptoms:

(1) when instrument panel multi-pin connector below
     the tach is plugged in, the fuel pump runs and
     starter works, but engine just turns over without
     catching.

(2) with the multi-pin connector off, engine fires
     right up.

The connector and wires look fine (unburnt / no nicks / etc.).  The
instrument panel ribbon cables look fine.  The switches are not causing
the problem, neither is the speedo induction sender.

I'm lost re. the wiring diagram and why an instrument panel short would
prevent starting.  I see that a current track runs to the ignition
switch, but wouldn't a short there cause the fuel pump not to run?  This
is on a 1990 GL.

Best,
d.