steering column fire....!

After getting some electrical glitches seen to, this morning I had toxic plastic smoke come billowing out from the steering column of my 110 TD/200tdi
After clearing my lungs, I was able to get it back to the same crowd for another overhaul. They are top guys with an outstanding reputation over here so was not about to lay any blame.....(but a massive coincidence, no?)

Unsure of the origin, the headlamp loom (and more) had melted in the process but remarkably, after a brave check, everything still worked (including the lamps) minus the dial lights! There was no further burning on the test drive that followed with everything switched on. Ironically, the dial lights were just about the only electrical component that worked as they should prior to the work. They got on it straight away and hopefully they have a better report on monday.

Work done was mainly faulty lamp wiring/earths (including headlamps), connections loose, windscreen motor wiring faulty. Followed a half-arsed galvanised chassis job in Ireland (but now in Canada).


My concern is that I may need a replacement loom although they have built many a custom loom in the past.
If they suggest a replacement, are they available? I hope a TD to 200tdi conversion won't complicate the matter.

The otherday I got a replacement bulb for behind my dash. And after a small amount of smoke it went out... So I took the binnacle off and saw the bulb had got so hot it has melted it's self into the holder! Must have been too high a wattage and got too hot.

Just wondering as it took a month or so before it did this...

It is not uncommon for bulbs to fail, whereby the filament holder, shirts across the contacts. This gives you a short across the bulb with a thicker metal link than the filament. Once this happens the bulb will heat up until the short ( or the weakest part of the loom ) melts. I have seen it melt the surrounding bulb holder, many times. Occasionally it is caused by the filament causing a high resistance, but not breaking. It is not uncommon for headlights to get so hot that they explode!

Sounds like me! been meaning to ask, can you replace the surrounding bulb holder? Or is it time for new clocks?