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Dash small burn and smoke

2001 U320.  Above the headlight switch was small black spot and little smoke.  Turned off ignition and headlights. Removed dash cowling. No evidence behind the dash.  Talked to Mr Risch at MOT, sent photos.

He suggested it was caused by trying to burn the dash, probably try that first.  He had me disconnect the two wires (black, white) and turn headlight switch on and ignition key.  No heat felt or smoke seen.  Seems solved.

However my friend Roger Engdahl had suggested before I had taken the cowling off that the dimmer to dash lights might be a suspect.  So after I tried the unplugged dash electricity two wires, I turned the dimmer and saw no smoke or heat but could hear what sounded like crackle of electricity contacts in what I call the dimmer rheostat.  Maybe normal sound?

I think Risch found the cause.  I had felt the dash hot on the left (driver side) of the light switch which it turns out would be where the round thing with the black and white wires connect.

Think this is a very rare event but maybe it would be good to have in your quiver of very seldom needed arrows of knowledge.
Mike
2001 U320 4010 Build 5878 (Gus)
Wrangle Unlimited Toad
Nacogdoches

Re: Dash small burn and smoke

Reply #1 –
Dash lights at full brightness should take the reostat and the heat out of the equation, use some contact cleaner on all connections. Don't ask me how I learned this, so far about $84 and 20+ hours
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake

Re: Dash small burn and smoke

Reply #2 –
Mike,

I would just replace the switch.  You know it has failed at least once.  Don't roll the dice that it will happen again and cause real damage.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Dash small burn and smoke

Reply #3 –
Is that some of that paint that glows at night? 

something like this

Steve

1997 U270 36' build 5179
Motorcade #18147
1980 CJ5

Re: Dash small burn and smoke

Reply #4 –
Burn looked similar but as for same, I not sure...dash on my coach not so colorful I thinks.

Thanks for reply
Mike
2001 U320 4010 Build 5878 (Gus)
Wrangle Unlimited Toad
Nacogdoches

Re: Dash small burn and smoke

Reply #5 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
Mike,

I would just replace the switch.  You know it has failed at least once.  Don't roll the dice that it will happen again and cause real damage.
I would normally agree with replacement, except the quality of the replacements can be beyond sad, switch #3 is supposed to be genuine ac delco for my coach, and has not arrived yet, maybe tomorrow. Special order $44. Hindsight I would have jumpered around the rheostat that was hit and miss on my coach.
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake

Re: Dash small burn and smoke

Reply #6 –
Mike, you might just take the rheostat out of the equation and wire around it.  The dash is on full brightness all the time then.  My backup cameras don't like something when the dimmer is engaged and behave better at full brighness.

It looks like wire #73 provides power to the rheostat and #73A sends reduced voltage to dash and switch lights.  Disconnect the plug and have no dash lights or jumper from 73 to 73 A.

Or just cut the red and white wires at the back of the rheostat and connect them by the plug.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN