Smoke = Bad news, Fried ignition wiring -- why? Options

[BMartin914]

As I went to drive the 914 last night, I started it up (started fine) pulled it out of the garage and let it idle while I closed up. Got in turned on the lights and started to check and make sure my lights were working, signals, etc. As I try the left signal, it goes out, then the lights and I notice smoke billowing out from behind the dash. I turn it off and push it inside, take the lower part of thedash apart and find the ignition wiring fried and the key is VERY hard to turn in the ignition.

This week, I noticed a broken ground in my left tail light, I took it apart and reworked the post with a small screw/nut and a new lead to the ground connection. I can't understand how this could have caused the wiring to fry, but I know it was probably a contributing factor. The light is grounded and works so I don't understand what the problem might be.

My left marker/rear light fuse is blowing again and agian and I thought that the broken ground wire was the problem -- no dice. I don't see any broken wires or bad connections and I have traced all of the wire I can get to from the fuse box.

Anyone have any ideas what the problem could be here?

Thanks

Ben