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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9
C
New Guy
New Guy
C Offline
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9
Getting smoke from either headlight switch or wiring under dash when putting on headlight switch. With switch off ..no smoke.. I know this is a dumb question. How do I find out if switch bad or loose /bad wires

Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,201
F
Shop Shark
Shop Shark
F Offline
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,201
need some more info Charley. what kind of truck? 6v or 12v (are you running 12v through a 6v switch?) Find the problem before you turn it into a smoker or throw a turkey on the seat first.


1953 Chevrolet 3600
Fried Green T'mater (Vern)
In the Stovebolt Gallery
Caution: Political Statement
Man who runs in front of car gets tired, man who runs behind car gets exhausted.
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 7,438
Extreme Gabster
Extreme Gabster
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 7,438
If the wires got hot enough to smoke you should be able to see the damage. There's nothing in the switch to smoke. And the switch doesn't care what voltage.


"It's just a phase. He'll grow out of it." Mama, 1964

1956 Chevy 1/2-ton 3100
1953 Chevy 6100 "The Yard dog"
1954 GMC Suburban Now with a new proud owner.
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 5,708
A
'Bolter
'Bolter
A Offline
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 5,708
Isn't there a rheostat for dash light illumination in the light switch? When those get full of mouse poop, dust and other debris they act just like a toaster burning toast.

Stuart

Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,201
F
Shop Shark
Shop Shark
F Offline
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,201
hey Cletis, are you saying my original switch is heavy-duty enough to run my all new 12v system? that would be nice to have the original headlight switch in there.


1953 Chevrolet 3600
Fried Green T'mater (Vern)
In the Stovebolt Gallery
Caution: Political Statement
Man who runs in front of car gets tired, man who runs behind car gets exhausted.
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 12,029
F
Cruising in the Passing Lane
Cruising in the Passing Lane
F Offline
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 12,029
monster - 6V hardware and wiring are 'heavier duty' than 12V, no worry in keeping the original switch

Bill


Moved over to the Passing Lane

"When we tug a single thing in nature, we find it attached to the rest of the world" ~ John Muir
"When we tug a single thing on an old truck, we find it falls off" ~ me
Some TF series details & TF heater pics
Joined: Feb 2000
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J
'Bolter
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Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 5,215
Isn't this right, 6 volt carries twice the amperage as 12 volt to do the same amount of work? or something close to that?

Thats why you need large battery cable with 6V and why all the other wires will work with 12 volts.

Joe

Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 208
M
Wrench Fetcher
Wrench Fetcher
M Offline
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 208
Originally Posted by Joe H
Isn't this right, 6 volt carries twice the amperage as 12 volt to do the same amount of work? or something close to that?

That's right. Only 6 volts but tons more amps. You can still burn stuff up with 12 volts though. I threw a 12 volt battery in my tractor & burned out 2 coils before I knew what went wrong. Plus the starter nearly tore itself apart. The switch should be fine, but other stuff can't take it.


1958 Chevy Apache 3200
bone stock 235
53k miles
3 on the tree
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9
C
New Guy
New Guy
C Offline
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9
Found problem tail light wire causing short.
old wire worn and touching frame. Did replace switch, it was old and rusted. Will need to replace wiring in the future, but for now, everything is 'good'

Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9
C
New Guy
New Guy
C Offline
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9
12v..I like the turkey idea...Fixed problem..loose wire touching body of truck..worned ...

Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9
C
New Guy
New Guy
C Offline
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9
THANKS...FIXED PROBLEM..LOOSE / WORN WIRE ON TAIL LIGHTS...
REPLACED SWITCH (TEMPORARILY) WITH NEW PULL-PUSH IN-LINE 15 AMP FUSE SWITCH ($3.99)..REPLACING ALL WIRES ONE AT AT TIME. WHEN FUSE BLEW..THIS IDENTIFIED WHICH WIRE..(TAIL LIGHT)


Moderated by  Jon G, Rusty Rod 

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