Electrical Fizzle, Smoke and Death

Sounds like you're describing an ammeter fire. Perhaps one of the fuel gauge's leads was resting against one of the ammeter terminals. If the contacts on the back of the ammeter aren't tight, they get hot and eventually set the rubber boots on fire. If you're lucky, the only damage is to the ammeter itself. Just undo the three gauge panel screws and have a look at the rear of your ammeter. If it was indeed the cause of all the smoke, it should be obvious.

The solution has been discussed in the PI Forums many, many times.

This should be obvious - but ....

Be sure to disconnect the battery before starting any diagnostic efforts. This avoids adding any more damage, and perhaps masking the source of the original problem. Good luck and let us know what you find.

quote:

smoke came from behind the dash filling all the guages

You may want to pick up some of this to help your repairs?

Larry

Ever helpful Larry, but that is the positive earth (ground) version and part number!

Good catch, Joules.

Did not mean to confuse the newbies that may not have learned all the intricate quirks of our wiring systems.

Believe this is the correct item for our cars.
Larry

Hey Dave

Sorry you're having problems. Sometimes the Italian mistress has to remind us she needs a certain amount of attention.

If its the ammeter, consider replacing it with the item below. Available from Hall Pantera.

+1 on the voltmeter from Hall. Just installed it.

I have the bilingual European voltmeter!

Other than eliminating a fire hazard, an added benefit of switching to a voltmeter is, it makes removing the gauge panel much easier.

Here's a good "ammeter vs. voltmeter" article:

http://www.autometer.com/resou...index/faq_view/id/18

First off i would like to tank everyone for their support. I took the center console off and looked at the guages. there was no evidence of burn at the amp, gas or water pressure.

the water and gas are clean

oil pressure had two loose wires.......but again nothing burnt? Any subsequent suggestions would be appreciated.

was any fuses blown (#12)?

how does it look around ignition switch

is your wiring fairly original, what mods made

Just on the Voltmeter/Ammeter, I always wonder when there are only advantages on one thing and the other thing was more of a hassle, why did the factory or anybody install an Ammeter with the more complicated wiring? There must be advantages to the Ammeter?

I had a similar experience, it turned out to be a positive and ground wire burned through the insulation, go through all the wires one by one, mine was not easy to see as the two wires appeared fine until I found that they were fused together.

dave;
I'll take a shot:
Since you state it started with your gas gauge dropping to empty, filling with smoke, etc.
Do you still have continuity with the yellow wire and the white/black wire from the fuel tank sending unit to the gauge? Did the low fuel light illuminate before going to empty. You should also have a yellow/black wire for bulb illumination hooked in series with the other gauges, as well as a pink wire in series with the other gauges. Does continuity exist through all the gauges? Also does the black ground wire make a good ground?
I guess with this description, I am attempting to isolate the fuel gauge as being the sole culprit, possibly within the gauge itself and showing no signs of external damage.
The wire colors I'm describing relate to my car but seems to be rather universal with the gauge wiring.

Checked all grounds, pulled center dash, nothing burnt, traced wire pigtails, nothing burnt, turns out main power failure from incoming power. archflash causing break in wire. Replaced simple powerwire, 4072 came back to life.....thanks to all. Love this forum!

After all said and done i think i need to take some advise, get rid of the Amp meter and replace with a volt meter. Too bad they are predicting snow tomorrow or we would be going for a ride!

If you are looking to keep a stock look, here are a few options for you, in no particular order. #1 One would be the Volt meter from Hall Pantera. Looks very close but not exact to the stock gauge. #2 Have a gauge company like Redline Gauge works or Hollywood Clock take your old Amp gauge and keep the stock face while replacing the internals to a volt meter. I was quoted around $240. #3 Jon Haas (Pantera Electronics) is also now modifying the stock gauge to never burn up listed on his website at $249. Good luck