No power problem

[cuda hunter]

So, as I mentioned on this thread here, https://forum.e-bodies.org/electrical-and-audio/11/1986-ram-hotwire-question/14140/, I have a small gauge black wire that goes through my column to the ignition switch.  I couldn't find where it went because it goes into a bundle of wires up behind the dash. 
  Today I figured out what that one small black wire was connected to.  The E brake.
I had said on the other thread that the e brake light had came on once when I was messing with that wire.  Well, I pushed in the e brake so I could do a neutral transmission fluid check and smoke came out through my dash. 
  I located the burned wire, one end goes to the e brake switch, the other end goes to the steering column harness and up to the ignition switch (apparently not supposed to).
  Now I have absolutely no start. 
I have power into the fuse box via the larger red wire. 
I have power to the starter via the largest red wire.
I have power running back to the trailer lights via a smaller red wire.

When I check the red wire coming through the firewall that goes up to the ignition switch I show a very faint amount of power. 
I turn the key on the ignition switch and get absolutely nothing. 
And I know, not an ebody.  86 dodge ram.

Any ideas? 

[Cuda Cody]

What do you think someone was doing by messing with the E-Brake wire?  Did someone add a tow brake controller?

[cuda hunter]

It all appears stock.  Nothing was changed there.  The only wiring that was changed was on the last leg of the steering column. 
Apparently I fried the whole wiring that goes to the e brake light on the column I think.  But that should not kill everything.  It does not appear to have burnt any other wires, but I can only get so far up the wires before they go into the upper part of the wiring harness.  Little brown wires.

[dodj]

When I check the red wire coming through the firewall that goes up to the ignition switch I show a very faint amount of power. 


Any ideas?

Check the red wire on the engine side of the firewall for a fusible link?

[cuda hunter]

Like this? 

Can I go buy this from the parts store? 

[cuda hunter]

definitely two fusible links. 

Now I have to figure out the amperage for each fusible link.
I'll check the wiring diagrams I have, but being chiltons and hayes I bet they are generic and won't show what I have. 

Thanks @dodj .  I had held those and decided they looked ok the first time. When you mentioned it I realized I was not looking at things close enough. Nice swift kick in the ass. 

[cuda hunter]

That's what it was.  Two were burnt up.  Not sure what one of them does as I didn't trace it and nothing extra happened on the truck.
I cobbled them together until I can get a correct new fusible link. 

Thanks for leading me in the correct direction dodj. 

[dodj]

 
I'd be a little concerned running without fusing of some sort especially seeing as you have a 'custom' harness on your hands