Re: [A/S] Newbie with a wiring problem

["Mr. Joy H. Hansen" <joytbrew@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Lou,

Please be sure you want to tear out the bath wall to get to the wiring.  Not
an easy task.  There's a heavy plastic bubble behind the outer skin that is
glued to the aluminum.  More than likely, you'll have a nasty mess on the
inside that will be difficult to clean up.  The best approach is to cut the
bezel off, provided  you are sure that the wiring insulation wasn't cut on
the aluminum bezel when you installed the lamp bases.  The Napa bases are a
bit larger than the original and there's little room for the wires out the
bottom.  I used a rotary file and cut the sharp edges off the bezel and
assured myself that the wiring would clear without damaging the insulation.
My first attempt resulted in a cut insulation, a short, and a blown fuse.
If you found that there is a short with your VOM, it's likely at the lamp
base right where the wiring makes the 90 degree bend.

Even with my unit gutted, I'd hate to try to get new wiring to the lights.
Most likely your '73 doesn't have a convenience hatch in the aft wall.  I'd
be interested to know if Airstream engineers allowed access from the
interior.

                                                      '69 Safari, Joy