rhonster

For whatever reason, I popped the trunk and there was fire, the upper lining was melting and dripping down causing it. Now there are 4 bare wires split, looks like they were joined, and the speedo, tach, fuel and running lights don't work. Brights come on as do flashers and signals but no brake or backup. Any ideas on what would cause this and how to fix???

tigersharkdude

iTrader: (20)

Pics?

rhonster

No cam cord long enough. The exposed area is trunk lid, left side. The broken wires seem like a small tributary heading down towards the center the lid, although the automatic release still works.

tigersharkdude

iTrader: (20)

have you done any work around those wires recently? It sounds like one of them grounded out, caused a spark and fire.

rhonster

Nope, never had an electrical issue with this car. The fire was more to the left, I did have a litre or 2 sitting in a portable can so it was close and that on top of a full tank. I don't understand some of the dash feature going down like the speedo, tach, and engine temp along with some of the lighting. The car heat, radio and most everything else seems ok. Fyi, burning plastic will adhere to your thumb much as I presume Napalm would. Just a small spot but ouch. I hate the idea of going to a dealer, but this may be over my head. I did replace a starter myself along with a fuel filler neck, but this looks mean.

Doughboy89

iTrader: (1)

The dash went down because you blew the brake light fuse... if you have no tail lights, the dash lights go off as well. Same fuse, kinda lets you know when the tail lights are gone.

rhonster

The brake lite 7.5 fuse is blown.
With the fire, it appears there has been some melting and meshing of wires together so I am very reluctant to simply splice the 4 loose ends and put in a new fuse or 2. A local garage thought 3 hours labor all incl.

What do you mean "when the taillights are gone?"

tigersharkdude

iTrader: (20)

I think what he meant is when the brake lights stop working.

For the wires you can do that. Pull the positive off the battery, and splice the wires back and cut and splice some new wires in.

rhonster

[QUOTE=tigersharkdude;7820466]I think what he meant is when the brake lights stop working.

yes but, bulbs burnt? some electro-mechanical piece? what else?

Doughboy89

iTrader: (1)

no, when the fuse for the brake/tailights blows, you also loose your gauge cluster lights.

rhonster

The speedo and odometer also stop. I replaced the burnt BrakeL fuse, nothing changed so I the questions remaining are if the 4 exposed wires match up to become 2, will the heat have possibly melted exposure to the other wires within the confluenced bundle and then if that does work, what is to stop another fuse blowing or another fire.. I think I may be over my head here.