Smoke from Steering Column
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 59
Likes: 9
From: SC
Smoke from Steering Column
Twice, now, I have had smoke come from the steering column of my 200,000+ miles, driven most everyday, '89, 6-speed, convertible. After the first, I removed the entire column, mostly disassembled, and found nothing. I replaced the turn indicator switch, ignition switch, and bright/dim switch. Yesterday, the car cranked, but acted as though it wasn't getting enough gas to accelerate. Pulled back in garage, and smoke came out of column near turn indicator switch. Any suggestions?
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 59
Likes: 9
From: SC
I cleaned everything, when I had it apart the first time. I had suspected a short, but saw nothing "rubbed" or missing insulation. The engine hesitation this time is/maybe related.
Harness protectors??? I put everything back that came out.
Harness protectors??? I put everything back that came out.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,275
Likes: 165
From: Utah
Might be a switch on it's way out.
I had my original headlight switch just about catch fire.
There were a few warning signs before I got the big smoke.
it ended up melting the switch pretty good, and melted about 3 inches of the insulation on the main power wire going to the switch.
Found out that my 84 has the fog lights and the headlights going through the same switch, no relay.
Later cars they fixed that...
Fun of old cars!
ETA: try pay close attention to where the smoke comes from if it happens again.
Might be time for a new ign switch in the end.
I had my original headlight switch just about catch fire.
There were a few warning signs before I got the big smoke.
it ended up melting the switch pretty good, and melted about 3 inches of the insulation on the main power wire going to the switch.
Found out that my 84 has the fog lights and the headlights going through the same switch, no relay.
Later cars they fixed that...
Fun of old cars!
ETA: try pay close attention to where the smoke comes from if it happens again.
Might be time for a new ign switch in the end.
Last edited by Gibbles; Mar 21, 2020 at 02:06 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6,192
Likes: 750
From: near the thumb in the mitten
Harness protectors??? I put everything back that came out.[/QUOTE]
There are atleast 2
1 large one slides in from the bottom, lugs on lower housing locate it. T.S. and wiper harnesses run through it. Cruise wire has a sleeve on some models attaches to it.
The other is "shaped" and fits where wiring runs past pivot area towards base of column.
There are atleast 2
1 large one slides in from the bottom, lugs on lower housing locate it. T.S. and wiper harnesses run through it. Cruise wire has a sleeve on some models attaches to it.
The other is "shaped" and fits where wiring runs past pivot area towards base of column.
