safe to start question please

the red/white wire going to my dash lights shorted and melted the wire cover. It also melted through the blue tape of the wire harness. This happened a few months ago and since I haven't done much except take the dash loose and pull it back slightly to survey the damage. Until I get to the repair is it safe to crank the B? I kow isn't good to just let it sit and also think hearing it run may motivate me to get the wiring fixed.

Can I maybe take the lighting fuse out then crank it up? God knows another incident like the wire burning while it is in the garage and my wife may kick me and the B to the curb.

As long as there is no copper showing through the harness, it shouldn't hurt to turn the key. 'Almost' all the wires in the harness carry the same 12V; exceptions being black and black/purples. I think I'd disconnect the + side of the battery, turn the key to the "ON' position and connect an amp meter between the + battery post and the cable. If that doesn't show any current being drawn, then you can reconnect the battery and see if she'll crank up.

The wires for the lighting are not fused under the dash.

Kimberly - I knew that but was wondering if I can remove any or all of the fuses in the fuse block and kill power going to the light circuit, which should make it safe, and still be able to crank her

There are no fuses for the lighting circuits in the dash. You can't remove what doesn't exist. The red/white wire is not fused. Disconnect the red/white wire from the dash dimmer control. Provided the red/white wire isn't melted through and connecting with another wire in the harness, there shouldn't be any voltage on the wire. The wires that are not fused in the dash are white, brown, white/red, red/white, blue, red/green, white/green, blue/red, blue/white.

Fused wires in the dash controlled by the third fuse are green, blue/lightgreen, brown/lightgreen, red/lightgreen, green/orange, green/blue, green/black, lightgreen/green, green/white, green/red, lightgreen/purple, lightgreen/brown, green/yellow, green/brown, lightgreen/black.

Fused wires in the dash controlled by the fourth fuse are purple, purple/white, purple/black, purple/pink, purple/green.

The top two fuses protect the wiring for most of the exterior lighting. Fuse protection starts after the wire (red/green) has left the dash. The wires in the dash for lighting are not fuse protected.

Look at a wiring diagram to verify the colors of the wires to the various components in your car.

Kimberly is absolutely correct in everything she said, the only thing I would add to the below quote is "Disconnect the red/white wire from the dash dimmer control. As long as the lighting switch is in the off positon and ...."

Kimberly Wrote:

Kimberly - greta information...boy you got it going on on the electrical.

I will confirm the red/white didn't damage anythinging the harness and will then disxonnect it from the dimmer swirch.

Tony - the red/white burnt and melted the covering and the tape on the harness and the lights were not on. I had removed the homemade console and and radio and was checking thie wires so I could put in a factory console and replacement radio. I reached up and turned the switch on and poof smoke came pouring out from under the dash. I still don't know what happened, I replaced the dimmer switch (e-bay purchase) but had since jumped across it because it stopped working. I also recently had replaced the bulb to the heater control. Had a hell of a time getting the bulb back nto the socket on the fan switch and must have created a short

thank you both for your help