I somehow fried the dash harness in my 76 TA a couple of days ago. I was finishing the engine install, connecting the negative battery cable, and preparing for the initial start up. I sensed the cable getting hot and immediately disconnected it. I noticed some smoke from the harness with the fusible links. Then I noticed more smoke in their interior. The fusible links were not burned although the insulation was split in several places and exposing the wires. Inside, I found the dash harness melted around the headlight and wiper switches.
While the engine was out, I rebuilt the heater box and heater control cable/switch assembly. None of these wires or connections were damaged. I also removed the engine harness from the junction block and the wiper motor and refinished the firewall.
I haven't really gotten into it yet, but I can't understand how the interior harness shorted in an area that I didn't disturb. Or why none of the fuses blew. How can this much current bypass the fuses? Any hints on tracking down the cause? I don't have a wiring diagram (yet). Perhaps that will help me understand. It looks like a new harness takes 6 to 8 weeks, so I doubt the car will be on the road until next year now. Regardless , I can't install new wiring until the source of the problem is solved.
Seeking advice. Thanks.
