Sounds like you're grounding the power lead, and you've probably melted the
insulation off of one of your wires (the smoke).
I had a SUNPRO gauge that did that in my '50 Ford Truck...But I seem to
remember it was for the fuel gauge. The gauge should have two nuts on each
post. But I didn't have enough nuts, so I loosened the one that held the
meter assembly within the gauge casing, so the fork connector was affixed.
Well, the assembly IS NOT supposed to touch the casing, and if you've had
movement on the mechanism (Such as by loosening the nuts that hold the
assembly in place) and it's touching the casing, then your hot wire lead
will, for all intensive purposes, be going directly to ground. And the thin
wire can't handle the load, heats up and melts the insulation.
But this is only one hypothesis.
Terry L. Thompson
'76 Spit 1500
Maryland
----- Original Message -----
From: Jason K. Cullum <jcullum@chorus.net>
To: Spitfire <spitfires@autox.team.net>
Sent: Saturday, May 20, 2000 12:30 AM
Subject: Temp Gauge installation question
>
> I purchased a new Manual temp gauge for my spit. I am replacing the
original
> electric one. When I unhook the wires to it and turn on my ignition I get
> smoke from under the dash!!!!!! Here are the wires hooked up, Power to
light
> from Dash light switch, Lead from sensor in engine compartment, Grounds to
> the frame of the gauge, and 2 wires spliced together connected to the last
> post on the gauge, when the two wires are removed is when I get the smoke.
> How can I remove the gauge with burning up my car? What circuit do I need
to
> close and how do I do it?
>
> Thanks,
> Jason
>
> PS this is a 63 (IE Reverse Polarity....Positive Ground and Negative is
hot)
>
>
>
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