Help fire in the steering wheel.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: West Hartford Connecticut
Help fire in the steering wheel.
I was traveling with my new girlfriend the other day along route 9 in Connecticut. Basically showing off my semi new 2005 corvette coupe with 3700 miles. I've wanted one since I was 7 and even have an original framed 1978 poster brochure that my dad had framed for me back then. I attempted for the first time to adjust the telescoping steering wheel with the switch when suddenly my fingers got very hot and smoke filled the cabin very quickly. I pulled over and she said, " I think we are on fire". I said, this isn't the time for sex can we please wait until the smoke clears. A little attempt at humor here. So the smoked cleared and everything works fine accept perhaps that switch. Does anyone know before I call the dealer in the next couple of days if this is a known problem with the 05 or do I just have a bum switch and is everything else in the electrical system basically okay from your experiences?. Thank you, Gerson.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,254
Likes: 136
From: Short Hills, NJ
There is a known potential issue with the Active Handling as it relates to some early vehicles also equipped with the telescoping wheel option but I've never heard of a smoking telescoping wheel switch problem all on it's own other than a few cases of it just stopping working.
I'm thinking that maybe it's a faulty switch that got stuck/overheated or something?
I'm thinking that maybe it's a faulty switch that got stuck/overheated or something?
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,974
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From: Pinellas Park Fl
St. Jude Donor '08-'09 & '12, '14
We won't be able to figure this out until until we see pics of the GF.
In the meantime I would check the steering column for a pinched 'power to ground' wire in the harness
In the meantime I would check the steering column for a pinched 'power to ground' wire in the harness
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Was the recall done? If not, Chevy might pick up the tab on the repair.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
You need to report this issue to the National Highway Traffic Commission. Make sure to take some detailed pictures of the damage. If there have been other reported issues, yours will help them get a recall done if one is warranted. Man, that is some bad news.
Normally when something smokes like that, it draws excessive current OR can’t handle the normal current that its suppose to handle. Make sure that the drive motor isn’t shorted or damaged. take some resistance readings on the motor input leads and make sure that it isn’t shorted and check the fuse and see what amperage is there and what should be there.
BC
Normally when something smokes like that, it draws excessive current OR can’t handle the normal current that its suppose to handle. Make sure that the drive motor isn’t shorted or damaged. take some resistance readings on the motor input leads and make sure that it isn’t shorted and check the fuse and see what amperage is there and what should be there.
BC
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2009
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From: Klein TX
2023 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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Had a GF fog up the windows before but never start a fire - that's HOT! (Lucky Guy 
)
Smoke sounds like a short to ground situation. Any blown fuses?
)Smoke sounds like a short to ground situation. Any blown fuses?
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,254
Likes: 136
From: Short Hills, NJ
LOL) maybe the new girlfriend is the culprit? 
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: West Hartford Connecticut
You say recall. Was this a recall item that your aware of ?. I have it in the dealership now, I have an extended warranty but you know how that often works out. I hope this doesn't end up a messy and expensive repair.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: West Hartford Connecticut
I think I might just be done with that girlfriend . Her latest response to this issue is perhaps you should have stuck with the Harley. Uncool, totally uncool. The car is in the dealership so I hope it doesn't end up an expensive nightmare.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: West Hartford Connecticut
No blown fuses. Or anything else for that matter!. I think she's bad luck. As for the Vette, Its in the dealer now and we will see what happens. By the way, are the door panels prone to popping off their clips?. Both panels are lose.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,289
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From: Providence Forge, VA
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
There was both a Recall and a TSB for some 2005-2006 vehicles for the steering column wiring which normally resulted in a Service Active Handling message and random brake application on one or more wheels. No info I've seen relating that issue to fire but it is wiring so, who knows, they could be related. I agree with Wayne, report it.
