smoke from dash

Hi there i got smoke from my dash a while ago and i found out that  it was the grey and blue wire for the dash ilumination, which i was told is quite common.  I have tried to fix it a couple of times now and i have run out of ideas.  i have replaced all the bulbs and all the burnt out wire and it still does not work. i have not replaced the headlight switch because gsf say they are obsolete and i am losing patience with it.  Does any one have any other suggestions.  I would be very grateful.

Cheers phil

i forgot to add that when i put the ignition on the bulb in the headlight switch is perminately on ond it does not dim. all the lights work outside just not dash.

cheers phil

Phil try a new switch this type of switch was fitted to loads of VW cars so a trip to the breakers may be worth while if not try scouse or crazyquiff on here for any MK1 parts

cheers, ill try that and hopefully it will work

cheers phil

Hi there.  I finaly got round to fitting a new switch and my dash lights are still only half workin .  the ilumination in the dashpod is now workin but the ilumination for the heater controlls is not :dontknow:.  i tried taking the bulb out and conecting the two wires and i got smoke from the blue and grey wire fron the head light switch.  When it origionaly burnt out only one of the wires from the switch burnt out. so i replaced that and when i conected the wires up that was the one that started smoking.  does any one know what it could be cos i am woried if i leave it with the bulb in it will smoke again or could i just take the wire out of the switch which keeps smokin and it be ok and the ilumination in the dash pod be ok.  i hope this makes sence. I have been wanting to get it MOTed for the past month but woried it will set on fire at the test station.

cheers phil

Ah, if your blue and grey wire ended up like mine:


…then you have a short still in the wiring loom.  

The blue/grey wires meet at this junction behind the instruments.   If you fried any section of the wire, then chances are more sections of the blue/grey wire have failed.   This is a dangerous condition since the wire insulation is compromised and could short out something else.

You'll have to peel open the loom covering/tape to inspect this situation.

I cut it all out and ran new leads for the whole dash illumination.