SilentNight1647 Posted May 16, 2007 Share Posted May 16, 2007 Last nght driving home I had a guy in my passenger seat and like always I tell him not to kick my fuse box and what does he do kicks the fuse box and the electric fan wire popped out from behind the fuse I had it sitting under (not a great idea but it is a temporary fix) so I pull over and stick it back in and the thing starts to melt the insulation and smoke I pulled it out and tried wiring the fan to the battery directly to no effect. I was on the highway and it was only about mile to my house so I waited for it cool off and just drove it, on the way back thouh I noticed the tach, turn signals and wipers wouldn't work, everything else works lights, gauge lights, running lights, brake lights and radio. So I replaced all the fuses in that block and I got the wipers to work but not the tach or turn signals, the only way I can get the turn signals to work is to wedge a fuse in between two actual fuse slots but when I have a fuse in both of those slots no dice. I'm stumped can anyone help me out, I'd really appreciate it, and finally it's a 1980 280ZX with a dash out of (I think) an '82 turbo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deja Posted May 16, 2007 Share Posted May 16, 2007 Last nght driving home I had a guy in my passenger seat and like always I tell him not to kick my fuse box and what does he do kicks the fuse box and the electric fan wire popped out from behind the fuse I had it sitting under (not a great idea but it is a temporary fix) so I pull over and stick it back in and the thing starts to melt the insulation and smoke I pulled it out and tried wiring the fan to the battery directly to no effect. I was on the highway and it was only about mile to my house so I waited for it cool off and just drove it, on the way back thouh I noticed the tach, turn signals and wipers wouldn't work, everything else works lights, gauge lights, running lights, brake lights and radio. So I replaced all the fuses in that block and I got the wipers to work but not the tach or turn signals, the only way I can get the turn signals to work is to wedge a fuse in between two actual fuse slots but when I have a fuse in both of those slots no dice. I'm stumped can anyone help me out, I'd really appreciate it, and finally it's a 1980 280ZX with a dash out of (I think) an '82 turbo. Sounds like maybe you took out a fusible link. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roger.svoboda Posted May 16, 2007 Share Posted May 16, 2007 Or melted something in the fuse box itself. I'd unbolt that first and look at the back of it for damage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austin240Z Posted May 16, 2007 Share Posted May 16, 2007 I would have made that guy walk home Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiwiCowboy Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 Trace the wire that started melting & smoking and it will take you to the short. The remaininf items that are non-functional, check the back of the fuse panel. I bet some of the came loose. One last thing, check the wire bundle for signs of insulation worn away. There are a lot of sharp edges fot them to wear into the wires. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
280zwitha383 Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 Sounds like maybe you took out a fusible link. Ditto. I'm surprised the fusible link didn't melt sooner from what you say. Insulate/replace whatever shorted (should be obvious by the smoke around the wires), secure fuse box, replace fusible link. It SHOULD really be that simple. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilentNight1647 Posted May 21, 2007 Author Share Posted May 21, 2007 I got it fixed, there was a short on the back the fuse box and I had to run a jumper between two contacts to get it to work, I thought I smoked a fusible link too but it turned out to be okay, the wiring in this car is a mess so I needed to clean it up anyway but I didn't really want to burn up my fan in the process, oh well I ordered an electric fan of doom from Summit that pulls twice as much CFM as the old one and looks like it would take off a hand if you got it too close. I appreciate the help I'm still thinking my boot is going to have words with the guy who kicked my fuse box but thats a story for a different day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
280zwitha383 Posted May 22, 2007 Share Posted May 22, 2007 That's somewhat concerning that the fusible link didn't blow, maybe someone has bypassed it. I guess just be sure that you don't have a chance at shorting anything else around there because you really don't want a fire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillZ260 Posted May 22, 2007 Share Posted May 22, 2007 I would have made that guy walk home ha ha haaaa! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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