smoke!

[fly4spd]

Electronic guys HELP!

when the ignition is turned to the "on" position, not even the car on, or trying to start, smoke develops from the drivers side dash area. What could this be, it smells like it's electrical, and since thats the only component on when it does it, it should be. are there any components that tend to go bad, or could it just be a short, broken wire or something
thanks,
-aj

 

[RsStanG1987]

Yeah thats definately electrical. Try taking the dash off wand finding the wire or probabbly wires that are melting. If there is smoke wires are melting. My car did that with the hatch popper button wires and luckily i found them. Umm If you get that fixed be sure to check your fuse box and make sure you dont have the wrong size fuse in the wrong space example 20 amp in a 10 amp place.

 

[HISSIN50]

ignition switch was a recall item, as i recall. dont keep messing with it - you will fry (more) stuff and possibly cause a fire!!

as TU said, get in there (if you want) and see what gives. if you are unsure, posting pics might help. good luck.

 

[83GT289]

had a similar problem in my '83. Turned out to be the stupid map light causing a short. I just removed it and now no more smoke . Just something to check.

Good Luck!

J.

 

[fly4spd]

I've basically taken the entire interior apart and found that a wire from the ignition switch is getting really hot. It is a red with green wire, that is a larger gauge than most every other wire behind the dash. I thoght it was the ignition switch, but the problem continued when i hooked up the new one. I havn't been able to follow the wire all the way yet, need to pull the steering wheel to get the rest of the dash off. anyone have any other ideas? i was lookign at some diagrams but i couldn't find the wire or the ignition switch on those diagrams.
thanks
-aj

 

[custom89stang]

its a safety, the wires BURN UP if something isn't plugged in or something is not connecting properly (or there is a short), my mechanic told me they are designed to do that, mine did it because my defroster wasn't plugged in

 

[fly4spd]

here is the wiring diagram, it is the red/ lt green wire running between two wire off of the ignition switch. it says that is a resistance wire, which makes me think that isn't th problem, since resistance = heat to put it simply.
Wiring diagram
it is diagram number 11.
thanks
-aj

 

[fly4spd]

i removed the 21 year old insulation around some of the wires where it was smoking from and the smoke stopped... the wires are still getting hot but the smoke stopped. can someone tell me if that red/lt green wire is supposed to get hot? if your car is working fine can someone feel the wire, its on the steering shaft and has two gold screws holding it on... the wire is on the back of that piece.
thanks
-aj