86 k10, had a tilt column that was getting really loose. so i had my old man find a straight column for me while i was deployed, he said it was out of a mid 80's truck...but off a truck with no controls on the signal lever, so i have a whole bunch wires that cant be plugged into the new column. i dont need them anyway, all i need is the ignition to work off it, its only for the trails.

well i got it all in, and replaced my alternator because the diode went out while i was gone for a year. now after running it for little bit, this wire is smoking and melting
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p60/d6es6tro6y/IMGP1334.jpg
on the right connection bolt, its the right wire. sorry im a newb and i suck with electronics.

i tried pulling wiper motor and heat/ac aux fuses, and it was still hot, so i figured it was another heat/ac control and disconnected it, and then figured out that it as something to do with ignition. any help on solving this would be awesome, thanks.

that is a a constant hot junction block. you ned to trace the wire in the loom to find where it is shorted.

either trace it, or take the battery out, and hook 110 volts to the terminal wiring to give it the ultimate smoke test..:D

either trace it, or take the battery out, and hook 110 volts to the terminal wiring to give it the ultimate smoke test..:D

Now youre just being silly.
Everybody knows wire harnesses are no good once you let the smoke out.

ok i'll try and trace it to find a short today, if there isnt a short anywhere, what else could it be?

Check the wires at the starter, odds are you have a fusible link that has gone out.

Check the wires at the starter, odds are you have a fusible link that has gone out.

i wouldnt have power to my starter if that was the case right? i do have power to it. im going to try and switch the ignition switch off of my original column to the new installed column too, i think im asking for problems leaving a bunch of stuff not plugged in.

There are a couple of links down there, it would depend on which one burned out.

Tilt and straight columns use 2 different ignition switches. One column pulls and the other pushes the metal lever when you turn the key at least on mid-late 70's columns. 80's should be the same I would think. Your dad must have figured that out though you just won't be able to test it using the other switch.
I can't remember wich does what now though. I just did the opposite install of what you did.
It shouldn't be a problem leaving anything unplugged though. My electrical knowledge is pretty limited though so take that with a grain of salt.

Repair your tilt column in the meantime: http://www.chevyasylum.com/column/tiltcol.html

Alex.