dont supose if anyone has heard of the ignition barrel switch melting at all and what the causes could be?? if checked the loom for as far as i can see looks good. i know i need a new engine harness tho do you think that could be it?? thanks guys
The fusible links should have blown before it melted so there shouldn;t be any real causes except perhaps aging. The assembly inside the switch is pretty amazing that it actually works as well as it does. I've had one fall apart in my hands :bash:. Auto electrical fires can be severe so I would suggest doing some checks on the ignition switch wiring loom before you install another switch. With the loom disconnected from the switch and using a multimeter set to volts, check you get 12Vs from a solid chassis earth and the thick white wire. If you do then the main fusible link isn't blown - remove the multimeter and proceed to # 2 With the loom still disconnected from the switch, short the following wires with a suitable guage wire (it should be similar thickness to the thick white wire or it might burn/get very hot!). Expect a little sparking but don't worry. I'd keep a fire extinguisher handy (not that you will actually need it but best to be safe, especially as the switch itself has already melted). 2 - thick white to black/white (starter should engage, don't worry, it can't actually start the engine) 3 thick white to black/red (ign warning lights on dash should show ) 4 thick white to blue (your radio should now work) If everything checks out, you should be OK to install the new switch. Any other results, either report back here and/or get an auto electrician to inspect...wiring diagram here PS: If anyone is concerned that this info could be a security concern, it has been freely available on the web for years and will be nothing new to hot-wiring car thieves.:bash:
