Why is this melting?

[Motorhead350]

My brake light switch has melted.

No blown fuse or anything. I replaced it again and it works fine.

What am I doing wrong?

Thank you.

[fastblackmerc]

My brake light switch has melted.

No blown fuse or anything. I replaced it again and it works fine.

What am I doing wrong?

Thank you.

Don't get it so hot!

[EMAS]

It is a known problem with the connector they make a so-so connection when they get older and that resistance causes them to heat up. Purchase a NEW replacement pigtail and a NEW switch and you'll be good to go for another 10 years.

[Motorhead350]

Thanks!

The pig tale was new, the switch was used.

[Spectragod]

It is a known problem with the connector they make a so-so connection when they get older and that resistance causes them to heat up. Purchase a NEW replacement pigtail and a NEW switch and you'll be good to go for another 10 years.

^^^YEP^^^, in the electrical world it is called a "thermal", it is a bad connection between the connector and the pins on the switch, sometimes you con "modify" the connector side with a small screwdriver or needle nose pliers, thus tightening up the connection and preventing the issue that you had, or...... replace all the bulbs in the back end of the car with LED's...

[Joe Walsh]

I had the same type problem on my '89 CV's headlight switch.
After a new switch quickly went bad, I knew that it was NOT the switch.
Kept heating up at the connection/connector and melting.
The insulation on the wires coming from the connector were melted and burned black!
The cause was the connector and the now burnt wiring......They couldn't handle the amp load and acted like a toaster!
I cut out the 2 inches of burned wiring and spliced in a 6 inch double wire lead with a new soldered on connector.
The double wire helped with the amp load and it has been working great ever since.