Smoking steering column!

[Since17]

1972 Charger. No brake or rear turn signals. Please advise.
Original wiring harness, thoroughly cleaned. 6 peg plug by driver’s seat cleaned 2x.
Ground to rear was an issue; after running independent ground to rear the running lights worked. Replaced flasher and also turn fuse… functioned, although left side was dim with a very slow flash rate. Turn switch squishy on left activations. Tail light assemblies are new. Steering wheel has never been removed as far as I know ( since 1982).
Pulled the hazard 4 way switch and I heard the fuse blow and smoke rolled out of the steering column by the turn signal lever! Thereafter , turns will not function also, blown fuse. HELP!
We’re pulling the steering wheel asap. Have puller and Chrysler tool to depress turn cut off ring to access snap ring.
Questions: what is the most likely cause? Hazard switch?
Here’s our plan. Please assist us with your experience and expertise.
Pre- purchase-
- hazard switch
- turn signal switch
- dimmer switch ( turn power flows through there?)
- brake switch
Am I on the right track? We’d appreciate everyone’s tech input on this matter.
Great to be part of for B bodies only. Thank you for your help!

 

[pnora]

Fix the short to ground. None of the parts you list are your problem. Its a wiring or bulb socket shorted to ground.

 

[Kern Dog]

I had a similar thing happen years back in my '70 Charger. Years of use and years of "time" just wore the insulation off of at least one wire and bzzzzzt!
Yeah, I smoked a fusible link.
A wire from the ignition switch grounded out, smoke flowed up and around the steering wheel. The fusible link saved the car from a dash fire.

 

[71Beeper]

On the aftermarket turn signal switches, the flat plug that connects to the rest of the car can have contact issues.
Happened with the one I have.
Went over a bump and now no turn signals or passenger side tail light.
Give the flat plug a twist and we're back to full power.
I zip tied the flat plug to the steering column to hold it tight.

 

[twecomm]

In a 60's era Mopar, the wiring for the secondary bright filaments of the brake and turn signal lamps originate in the turn signal switch under steering wheel. I suggest starting there. I just posted a document a few weeks ago titled "66 Charger, Turn signal repair" PDF is available in the Electrical Ignition forum here that may be of some assistance.

 

[72RoadrunnerGTX]

As mentioned, you have a short in one of turn signal lamp circuits, could be at a socket or in the wiring leading to.