electrical problem!!!!! I think????

[cdawgdiablo]

My 99 cav is making this really bad burning smell coming from the fuse panel or under the stearing wheel. It might have to do with the rear defrost not ever shutting off. Has this happened to anyone??? I already spent $3000 in repairs over two years and I can't take much more of this. I hope this is not a serious problem!!! HELP!!!

[inatalonIXLR8]

That really doesn't sound good. I'm going to guess that it's the actual defrost switch that is somehow responsible, but it sounds like even the wiring is starting to melt away. My advice is relatively cheap and should work for you. First buy some decent wire, an inline fuse, and a switch that can handle 12-14 Volts and around 30 Amps. Remove the fuse to the rear defrost from under the dash (I'm not accually sure where it's located). Connect the wire to your battery with the inline fuse in the positive wire within 10 inches from the battery. Run it through the firewall where one of the rubber plugs are. Cut the positive wire where you want to mount the switch and hook it up inline. Disconect each electrical conection on either side of the rear defrost and connect your new wires.

This should bypass all the stock wiring that I think will eventually catch on fire. Good luck.

[cdawgdiablo]

Originally Posted by inatalonIXLR8

That really doesn't sound good. I'm going to guess that it's the actual defrost switch that is somehow responsible, but it sounds like even the wiring is starting to melt away. My advice is relatively cheap and should work for you. First buy some decent wire, an inline fuse, and a switch that can handle 12-14 Volts and around 30 Amps. Remove the fuse to the rear defrost from under the dash (I'm not accually sure where it's located). Connect the wire to your battery with the inline fuse in the positive wire within 10 inches from the battery. Run it through the firewall where one of the rubber plugs are. Cut the positive wire where you want to mount the switch and hook it up inline. Disconect each electrical conection on either side of the rear defrost and connect your new wires.

This should bypass all the stock wiring that I think will eventually catch on fire. Good luck.

Thanks!! I'll give it a try!!!

[inatalonIXLR8]

Please write about it after. So many people don't say if ideas worked or not. Often people won't come back to the site after fixing the problem!

[cdawgdiablo]

Originally Posted by cdawgdiablo

Thanks!! I'll give it a try!!!

Sorry it took me so long to reply! I've been busy with Christmas. I did fix the problem. I just removed the fuses so no power is going to the defogger. This is only temporary until I have more time for more repairs. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!!