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Overheating wire

R

runner74

Well-Known Member
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Hi Guys

While replacing instrument cluster bulbs I noticed a connector which seems to be over heating. Anyone come across this and have advice?

Thanks

Here is a picture. I started the car and it does get quite warm to the touch. RR-wire.jpg
 
Don't have specific advice, but have had the crap scared out of me 3x with wiring issues. Be sure to have a battery cut-off and extinguisher handy for insurance.
 
Thanks for the reply.

I will definitely order some on amazon. I see 16 reviews and five stars. I'll look no further.

Thanks again. No under dash fires allowed....

- - - Updated - - -

Thanks for that.

I will definitely get a fire extinguisher. I love these old cars, but you never know. Where do you put the battery cutoff?

- - - Updated - - -

What do you recommend to clean the contacts? I probably wont tackle this till the weather warms up. I usume you unplug the connector, but then does this type of connector allow you to push the wire through to clean and then pull back through? I want to disrupt things as little as possible under there if you know what I mean?
 
image.jpg Battery cut out. Marine grade from West Marine. Wish it was in the cabin.
 
Before I replaced all of my harnesses, mine was worse than that, so much so someone before I bought the car had cut the wire that was burnt and just ran straight out through the bulk head connector, which they drilled out!!!
 
Nice

Learn something new every day. I think I'll order one of those.
 
Once you make the repair you should also squirt some dielectric grease in the connector ends.
 
I don't have my wiring diagrams in front of me - check what that wire feeds. Are you pulling a lot more power in your system now than originally? If so, you might replace all this only to have it happen again. Make sure that is the source of the problem, not the result of the problem...
 
Dielectric grease definition...
Dielectric grease is a non-conductive, silicone-based grease that's designed to seal out moisture and prevent corrosion on electrical connectors. It also disrupts the flow of electrical current, which makes it good for lubricating and sealing the rubber parts of electrical connectors. It's commonly used in automotive spark plug wires, recreational and utility vehicles, and electrical systems in aircraft.

Putting dielectric grease on the connector ends would actually be a bad thing? no?
 
No, putting dielectric grease on the connectors is NOT a bad thing. As you stated, dielectric grease helps prevent corrosion of the connectors. Current flows where there is true metal to metal contact between the male and female connector. Dielectric grease will not interfere with this. It protects those areas so they maintain their connection and do not corrode.

Of course the above assumes you have a proper connection. If your connection is poor, dielectric grease sure as heck isn't going to help it...
 
You are having a high current draw on that wire. The connector may or may not be the problem. Just fixing the connector may not solve the issue. Trace the wire and find what it feeds. Check all related components and connections.
It would be a good time to go through and clean up your bulkhead connectors.
 
That looks like it might be the iginition harness to me. like others have said, make sure to trace the wire. Do you still have the original altmeter in you car? If so that could be a problem. I has to replace the whole dash harness due to fire because of this very issue with the ingition and altmeter. Still haven't gotten it back in yet though.
 
runner74 said:
Hi Guys

While replacing instrument cluster bulbs I noticed a connector which seems to be over heating. Anyone come across this and have advice?

Thanks

Here is a picture. I started the car and it does get quite warm to the touch.View attachment 243702
Click to expand...

If that is on a 74 as your user name suggests and it is a blue wire with a white tracer then it feeds fuse cavity one.
Fuse cavity one has a 20 amp fuse and protects the following:
Interlock control unit
Ignition run feed
Brake warning lamp
Power window safety relay
Heated rear window relay
Trunk lid release solenoid
Voltage limiter(standard cluster)
Oil pressure indicator lamp
Temperature gauge (standard cluster)
Fuel gauge
 
Thanks for all of your posts. It's been cold here in the northeast so haven't been in the garage much lately. As soon as it warms up a bit I'll get back out there. I did buy the Ox-Gard and plan on cleaning the connectors and applying the Ox-Gard. Will also try to trace the wire as you suggested. I did have an issue with the drivers side headlight burning out and did a clean and retighten of the ground in that area and so far so good. Know sure if that was the issue or not as this was done before I noticed the burned wire.

Thanks again

The site is great.
 
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