Mk2 Ibiza Small Electrical Fire

[TDISam]

Hi everyone
Im having a little problem with my 1.9TDI mk2 ibiza (1997), basically a wire in the large loom under the steering column has burnt through its casing twice, the first time i had my sidelights and spotlights on and smoke started coming from under the column so i took it home, identified the wire and although the casing was melted off onto the rest of the loom further back than i could get to i kept it away from the rest with electrical tape, then last night i just had my sidelights on and the same thing happened but it burnt through the electrical tape, everything works fine and the car is no different.
My old man (a sparky) says i need a wiring diagram so we can find out where its going and where its come from to sort it, any ideas as to where i could get my mitts on one and has anyone else had this problem??? thanks

 

[Copper Cupra]

Is it possible that high wattage bulbs good cause this???

 

[BlackFR]

Cabling should be rated for higher current than the fuse that protects it. Not sure on your cars history but it may be worth checking all the fuses are the correct value. Sounds like you may have a short somewhere that someone has tried to get round by upping a fuse...

 

[Fl@pper]

theres a reasonable one (basic) in teh back of the haynes manual if it helps

theres a dusty one kicking round teh shed somewhere if you wanna scan of it ??

mail me

 

[TDISam]

bloody hell, after 13 months it happened again

driving to work, suddenly the whole car fills with smoke from under the dash

pull over, get fire extinguisher out of boot, point it at dashboard

then it stops smoking, i looked a right lemon!

last time the diagnosis was the foglight switch on the dash which was then taken out and all was calm

the thing is the headlights are permanently on now, the wire burnt all the way to the switch, so to turn the lights on/off i have to take the fuses in/out...

flapper i'll be dropping you a line shortly, i hope you still have those wiring diagrams somewhere!

anyone know what ampage the headlight fuses should be?

bleedin pain in the arse the week before xmas

any help appreciated

 

[Bogwoppit]

Fuse 1 LH dip beam and adjuster 10A
Fuse 2 RH dip beam and adjuster 10A
Fuse 7 RH sidelight and rear light, engine compartment lighting 10A
Fuse 8 LH sidelight and rear light 10A
Fuse 10 Front, rear fog lamps 15A
Fuse 11 LH main beam, warning lamps 10A
Fuse 12 RH main beam 10A

Your Seat owners manual should tell you the fuse ratings. Go and get yourself a Haynes manual and try to identify you fault.
Good luck.

 

[TDISam]

mines a mk2 mate but thanks anyway, havent got a manual it was lost before i had the car, gonna have a dig around saturday, think it might be an piece of metal rubbing the wire making it heat up

 

[Fl@pper]

mines a mk2 mate but thanks anyway, havent got a manual it was lost

one here if it helps - buzz me - email or msn

 

[Bogwoppit]

TDISam, the info I gave you is for a Mk2 ibiza.
I used to have a Mk2 GTi Cupra Sport 8v before my Mk3, I still have the haynes manual and use it for reference.

 

[TDISam]

thanks lads, had a tinker yesterday and there is a cable running all the way from the passenger headlight to the switch that is absolutely fried,

may possibly be rubbing on some bare metal in the wing i think as the car had a shunt there before i had it

the old man (a sparky) says its quite a big job as the fuseboard and relays'll have to come out and a new cable run through and will require a decent auto electrician

until then he reckons i'll be alright to carry on with taking the fuses out to turn the lights off

bugger, what a thing to happen a week befrore christmas