License plate and dash lights on with key on, but lheadlight switch in the off position Options

[HalfMoon]

I started my car tonight and noticed despite the headlight switch being fully in the off position, my dash lights are on and my license plate light is .
Odd. Never saw that before. Headlight switch I imagine....
Thoughts?
David
Addedum-and saw what I thought was a wisp of smoke come from under my dash at the windshield....perhaps my imagination?

[Tom]

"0" ohms from the load side of the fuse to ground is bad. Since you mentioned about losing the wipers, I would look at that circuit. I don't remember if the connections on the load side of fuse #8 have multiple spade terminals or not. If so, remove one at a time and see if the resistance at fuse #8 increases. Don't worry about the powered side of fuse #8, just the load side that read "0" ohms. If in fact the load side has multiple terminals and one reads "0" ohms to ground, then try to identify where that wire goes to as it is causing a direct short to ground. That is why the larger fuse popped instantly. The lower the resistance, the greater the current. So that is too little resistance. If you have the time and desire, try searching for " Basic DC circuits". It will help you understand what you need to know to fix things on the car that involve electricity.
Tom