1966 amp meter smoking

[N8Clark]

Hello everyone! I'm new on the forums and come looking for some help. I was messing with the power window switches because only half of them worked so I pulled the whole plate up and got a spark which I would assume would be from metal to metal contact. Now here's where it gets interesting! When I turn the lights on they're very dim (headlights and dash/interior) and it starts smoking behind the amp meter. Also the amp meter goes all the way to dead when the key is turned on (I attached a video) any leads are greatly appreciated and thanks for taking your time to read!

-Nate

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[Rick Worth]

You have a direct short to ground someplace. When you shorted out the wire it melted someplace and is bare wire against a metal ground, do not keep testing until you find and fix the bad wire, it is doing more damage everytime you turn it on. If you have a link to a '66 wiring diagram I may be able to point you to a likely spot.

I have one of these that works very well at tracking down shorts.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000RFLR0U/?tag=thunderbirdforum-20

 

[dmsfrr]

Keep a good fire extinguisher very close by until the electrical problem is 100% solved.
And definitely disconnect a main battery cable Every time you walk away from the car. Having an unscheduled Bird BBQ in your garage is not allowed!

 

[Bruce Hardy]

Hello everyone! I'm new on the forums and come looking for some help. I was messing with the power window switches because only half of them worked so I pulled the whole plate up and got a spark which I would assume would be from metal to metal contact. Now here's where it gets interesting! When I turn the lights on they're very dim (headlights and dash/interior) and it starts smoking behind the amp meter. Also the amp meter goes all the way to dead when the key is turned on (I attached a video) any leads are greatly appreciated and thanks for taking your time to read!

-Nate

I'd say you've got a dead short..I also don't like amp meters. They burn cars down. That's why the factories switched to a voltmeter.