Blown instrument panel fuse and ignitiion/starter draw

[ryan1522]

I have a '70 Cuda 440. So I noticed my instrument panel lights don't work, road lamps, and dome light. Also when checking for a parasitic draw there was a huge draw coming from the ignition/starter power wire off the starter relay. Is it possible these could be related?

When I put the key in the ignition the key buzzes but as soon as I turn the fuse blows. Any suggestions? Perhaps a bad starter solenoid? Bad dimmer switch?

 

[Adam]

Unplug the column harness connector near the floor. Check each pin in the column harness for a short, while turning the key thru it's positions, then check each pin in the other side of the connector. This will at least tell you if the problem in in the column or other side. You can unplug the dimmer, but I do not think that is your problem. The starter solenoid should not do anything until the ign switch is in crank position. You can swap the solenoid easily and eliminate that.. Get a wiring diagram and trace each wire from the bulkhead connector.. Visually check for melted connectors at the bulkhead. Lastly, I would unplug/ disconnect the switches, gauges, lighter, etc one at a time.

 

[challenger6pak]

I agree unplug the steering column and check it. I have seen the turn signal switch short out and cause weird problems when it melts into the other wiring.

 

[ryan1522]

I should mention the fuse that blows is the "accessories" one. The instrument panel one isn't blown but I don't seem to have lights in the speedo...etc. The dome light is also out but I didn't have an extra bulb to test if it was just the bulb or more.