bwilson13087 10 Report post Posted June 6, 2010 Just got done installing an "EZ wiring harness" in my 1969 mustang. I went to start the car and check to make sure everything worked. When I turned the key to run position I could smell smoke and noticed smoke coming from behind my gauge cluster. I immediately turned the key off and disconnected the battery. Upon further investigation I found melted electrical tape which I used to wrap the wires. I believe it's from the gauge power wire which comes off the same line as the coil wire. I checked my wiring diagram and it kinda looks like there should be a resistor in the gauge power line. Any ideas? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brianrupp78 10 Report post Posted June 6, 2010 Hmmmm wild guess by me.... but 69 mustangs had a resistor wire built in and the kit you bought probable doesnt have that resister wire built in.... I think thats just for the coil... I cant really remember though. If your running a stock points distributor dont forget to use a ballast resister. The smokeyness could be a number of things though. You should have used shrink tubes instead of electrical tape because its cleaner and more reliable. Good luck. Im sure someone here can help ya Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bwilson13087 10 Report post Posted June 7, 2010 Upon further research, I found out the wire that powers the gauges is a so called "resistor wire". Does anyone know what the resistance should be or a possible solution? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brianrupp78 10 Report post Posted June 7, 2010 damn I might have been right lol... I dunno I did a painless kit. All it asks for is that you use a ballast resistor of like 0.8 ohms or greater when running a points distributor or they will fry. Are you talking about the group of wires that goes into the gauge cluster? or the engine harness group(oil pressure, water temp, and coil)? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bwilson13087 10 Report post Posted June 7, 2010 Into the gauge cluster, it's purple with a single wire in it Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites