Help, car runs ok but when lights switched on the clocks die & no dash lights also fog light, main beam & indicators light up even though they are not on. then wisps of smoke appear from centre of dash. pull on handbrake & dash lights come on! Turn off lights & all ok again. Anyone got any ideas.

That doesnt sound good

Id take the clocks panel out and check it carefully for shorts etc.

That may go up in flames taking your car with it.

You may need to replace the panel, in which case I would take photos of the mileometer, with a dated newspaper in the picture, then do the same with a new, 2nd hand panel to try and help prove any mileage descrepancy in the future.

ok sounds like good idea, any advice on how to remove clock panel?

use the maintenance guide index, either in my sig, or at the top of the maint guide section,

there is a guide on doing this  :y

thanks for advice, took clocks out and stripped them down. couple of resistors burning out. just need another set now, anyone know who might have a set?

Place a "wanted" ad in "test" section and one of the mods will kindly move it to relevant section :)