632 Electrical Problem

[Jim Jensen]

I just purchased a 1979 632, I know very little about skid steers and I am not a mechanic. However I am mechanically inclined. Everything was working as expected with the 632, I was driving it and saw a puff of smoke and smelled something electrical burning. The nut and post on the back of the volt meter were glowing red hot and the wires were smoking. My question is what could cause this? Could it be a bad alternator? That was suggested by a friend of a friend that uses bobcats daily. I can repair the wires and replace the meter but that isn't going to solve the problem. It will likely happen again.

 

[Hotrod1830]

Is it a volt meter or ammeter? Could be a bad gauge, but first Check for a short to ground on the voltmeter wire. Easiest thing to do first is take a close look at the wiring harness and look for any place that could be rubbing/cut/pinched and shorted to ground. If nothing is found, disconnect the gauge and turn it on. If all seems ok, hook it back up and see if the problem occurs again. If it does, suspect a shorted gauge.

 

[SkidRoe]

Is it a volt meter or ammeter? Could be a bad gauge, but first Check for a short to ground on the voltmeter wire. Easiest thing to do first is take a close look at the wiring harness and look for any place that could be rubbing/cut/pinched and shorted to ground. If nothing is found, disconnect the gauge and turn it on. If all seems ok, hook it back up and see if the problem occurs again. If it does, suspect a shorted gauge.

I agree with hotrod, it sounds a dead short somewhere in the system.

 

[Jim Jensen]

I agree with hotrod, it sounds a dead short somewhere in the system.

You are correct it is an amp gauge. When i took it apart I saw that there was a wire disconnected from the ignition switch. I would guess that could have been shorting out somewhere. I am looking for a replacement harness but the part is discontinued so I think my chances are slim. I am going to have to try to fix what I have. Thank you for the information.