[Shotimes] Re: Blown Fuse...Smoke

[fwhittle@mindspring.com]

Exactly the problem I had once when I returned from vacation and the car had been sitting for more than a week (apparently it doesn't like to sit idle for too long--that was the second time it had a problem after sitting).  The switch that's screwed into the underside of the master cylinder (cruise control cutoff switch, I think) is bad and needs to be replaced.  Also check your brake light switch connector at the brake pedal--the wiring on mine was burnt.  I don't know which triggered the other to go bad--the brake light switch or the cruise control switch.  When you replace the switch under the master cylinder, be ready for brake fluid to leak out.  Have some rags under it and have the new switch ready to go in fast (also make sure the M.C. is topped off first).  It's probably not too expensive.  I don't remember.  I got the replacement brake light switch connector from the junkyard.

Frank Whittle
'95 ATX

Date: Thu, 6 Jan 2005 18:06:43 -0600
From: "\(Test\) Beckers, Shawn" <SMBECKERS@CSBSJU.EDU>
To: <shotimes@autox.team.net>
Subject: [Shotimes] Blown Fuse...Smoke

Hi all,
 
I badly need a little help.  I recently started my car and found I couldn't get it out of park.  After a little more messing around I also noticed my brake lights weren't working.  So I checked the fuses.  Sure enough the 15 amp fuse for the brake lights, cruise control, etc was blown (fuse #1 on the schematic).  So I grabbed a spare 15 amp fuse and popped it in.  No problem...that is until I saw the smoke coming from the engine.  I quickly took the fuse out and popped the hood to see where the smoke was coming from.  It appears that the smoke was coming from an electrical connection that is either directly under or attached to the brake master cylinder (I believe that's what it is anyway; it's on the driver's side right under the brake fluid reservoir).  The wires appear to have melted a bit.  Thinking I'd put the wrong fuse in I double checked.  No problem there...I had used a 15 amp fuse.  Can someone tell me what this connection is for and if it's safe to disconnect it a!
nd then replace the fuse?  Normally I'd get it fixed, but I have my Explorer in the shop right now getting the tranny rebuilt and my SHO is my only vehicle at the moment.  And I'm a little strapped for cash thanks to the tranny and would like to put off fixing this problem for a few weeks.  If the electrical component that was smoking was the problem, I'm hoping disconnecting it and replacing the fuse will at least allow me to have brake lights again.
 
Any advice/help would be greatly appreciated.