Topic: lightswitch/connector
in Forum: C3 Electrical
Already a Member?
Click Here to Login
Not yet a Member?
Click Here to Register for Free!
while doing the wiring of the lights i noticed something scary in my lightswitch-connector. several parts of the connecter has melted.
the "brown "wiring is for parkinglights/taillights , the yellow one goes to the dimmer-switch and the dark green one to the fusebox (i think to inst lps)
since the european regulations are a bit different they have changed some of the wiring (cut off the markerlights and instead connected on the front what we call here "citylights" to the brown wire..what should start giving light in switch position 1 together with the taillight) but still don't have an idea why it can get heated at that spot that makes it melt. can't think of a shortcut somewhere either ..unless the lightswitch itself?
someone an idea?
art-corvette
SPONSOR AD:: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
The lightswitch has a "breaker" circuit built into it. It is designed to open if there is a short in the lighting(normally just in the headlites) system anywhere. If there is a short, and the breaker keeps tripping, it can cause a meltdown of the plug. It can melt the plug if the breaker is not tripping, also.
The tail/park lites have a separate fuse for protection.
Maybe there is a problem with the way the other("citylights") lights are wired, or they may have bulbs that require more amperage than the switch is designed for. Or a short in the wiring anywhere else.
Check all of the bulbs for correct voltage/amperage ratings, first, and then see if you can find anything that would possibly cause a short in that circuit, such as bare/chaffed/melted wires. Also make sure all of the lights have a good ground.
The tail/park lites have a separate fuse for protection.
Maybe there is a problem with the way the other("citylights") lights are wired, or they may have bulbs that require more amperage than the switch is designed for. Or a short in the wiring anywhere else.
Check all of the bulbs for correct voltage/amperage ratings, first, and then see if you can find anything that would possibly cause a short in that circuit, such as bare/chaffed/melted wires. Also make sure all of the lights have a good ground.
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
My Link 
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
thanks again for another answer to my many questions :)
all in all i learned something again... didn't know there was a breaker in the switch. i have opened the switch and cleaned it out .. removed corrosion on the contactpoints
anyway..i think the melting was something that happened to one of the previous owners .sofar couldn't find a short in the wiring , did put a new tailight fuse in fusebox which stayed alive after turning on the lights and seems to work ok now .
art-corvette
all in all i learned something again... didn't know there was a breaker in the switch. i have opened the switch and cleaned it out .. removed corrosion on the contactpoints
anyway..i think the melting was something that happened to one of the previous owners .sofar couldn't find a short in the wiring , did put a new tailight fuse in fusebox which stayed alive after turning on the lights and seems to work ok now .
art-corvette
in Forum: C3 Electrical
SPONSOR AD: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)