Ignition switch wire getting hot

[Dale Pooler]

2004 Pace Arrow Workhorse W22, I saw whiffs of smoke momentarily, while looking at the ignition switch harness I saw a black/white wire 16 Gauge I think that is getting hot. Does anyone know where this wire goes to. Any links to a schematic? I can repair the wire but looking for a cause. Maybe it is rubbing inside the column but thinking it’s experiencing a heavy load as the cause.

[c62250000210]

Oemy's Web Site - DIY Projects

Large draw from heater/ac fan. This is what my problem was

[1972VWbus]

Originally Posted by Dale Pooler

2004 Pace Arrow Workhorse W22, I saw whiffs of smoke momentarily, while looking at the ignition switch harness I saw a black/white wire 16 Gauge I think that is getting hot. Does anyone know where this wire goes to. Any links to a schematic? I can repair the wire but looking for a cause. Maybe it is rubbing inside the column but thinking it’s experiencing a heavy load as the cause.

Where did you see the smoke emit from?

[Dale Pooler]

The smoke wafted up from the front side of upper stearing column plastic cover. I discovered where 2 wires had rubbed and ground out on the steering column structure. I spliced the wires to repair and adjusted the tension on the harness and wrapped with new electrical tape. The small gauage (18ga) black wire with white stripe has taken alot of heat i assume from the short but there is the possibility that it was electrically overloaded and heated up but havent been able to discover where this wire eventually goes. Need a schematic but haven't found one yet.

[Winemaker2]

A visual check of the wire may provide worthwhile clues.
My thinking....
An overload causing heating will occurr at a point of higher resistance such as a junction, plug etc.
If the spot is in the middle of a wire run I doubt it was due to overload heating... much more likely chafing and shorting especially if the wire was in a position to chafe... outside of a bundle, around or near something to cause the chafe (even edge of a plastic housing)

[1972VWbus]

One can easily overload the ignition switch when adding an accessory or accessories. A lot of power flows thru that ignition switch. Have you added anything since owning the RV?