MAC Posted February 20, 2004 Report Share Posted February 20, 2004 Today, I was coming home and noticed a smell of something burning. I though it might be my transmission after I down shifted to 2nd and stepped on it, however, I don't believe I red-lined. Shortly thereafter, I noticed the smell. Eventually, I noticed thin wisps of white smoke coming from underneath the steering column cover behind the steering wheel. I felt the plastic cover to see if I could pin point where the trouble might be. The cover is warmer underneath the ignition key area but nothing real obvious. I'm not sure if the problem is related to the constant voltage fluctuation since I replaced the alternator (brand new/not rebuilt). Sometimes when I start the car I get the Battery No Charge readout. So I shut the car and restart several times and sure enough eventually what ever was causing the problem is somehow solved and the voltage readout increases incrementally to acceptable levels. However, my voltage is constantly fluctuating, usually in the 12.1 to 15.3 range and, from time-to-time, goes as high as 15.5 and as low as 11.7. The 15.3+ seems to be too high? And obviously 11.7 is too low. Sometimes my headlights lightly flicker rapidly then the problem goes away. My previous alternator would read about 13.3 give or take a couple of volts. Is it possible the voltage regulator or alternator is causing electrical problems, or is it most likely something in the steering column? The biggest headache is if I have to take the column cover off, which seem inevitable. I would appreciate any assistance, Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted February 20, 2004 Report Share Posted February 20, 2004 I have never experience this personaly but have heard it said on this board that it is just grease burning off and nothing to be concerned about. I'm sure someone who has had the experience will elaborate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98Concours Posted February 20, 2004 Report Share Posted February 20, 2004 A while back, I had my aunts Eldo. I was washing it for her. Moved it in the driveway and the steering wheel started to smoke. Scared the crap out of me. I thought the airbag was going to blow. I jumped out screaming. Called my service writer and he started laughing at me. He said it was just some excess grease burning off the turn signal thingy. Anyway, got back in the car and started it up. No more smoke. Washed it, gave it back to my aunt and haven't had the guts to get in that car again. LOL Jeff Jeff 98 Concours 90 Seville 04 Corvette Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAC Posted February 20, 2004 Author Report Share Posted February 20, 2004 Larry & Jeff Thank you for your input. I can only hope that the only problem is a little bit of grease. Jeff, I had to laugh at your reluctance to get back in your aunt's Eldorado. I catch your meanin. At any rate, I think I'm going back to Pep Boys (or should I say Junk Boys) and replace the alternator. Clearly, something is not right there. It seems that every alternator I buy at Pep Boys has a problem. My previous car was an 88 Lincoln Mark VII LSC, for which I also bought an alternator at Pep Boys. When that one went bad I brought it back for an exchange. The punch line is that a replacement was only found after two (2) of the alternators were found to be defective right out of the box. Luckily, the third worked. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brmurph Posted February 20, 2004 Report Share Posted February 20, 2004 I have also had this happen, really freaked me out. Smoke, burning smell can't be good. Anyway It has never happened again, so far no problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted February 20, 2004 Report Share Posted February 20, 2004 Larry & JeffThank you for your input. I can only hope that the only problem is a little bit of grease. Jeff, I had to laugh at your reluctance to get back in your aunt's Eldorado. I catch your meanin. At any rate, I think I'm going back to Pep Boys (or should I say Junk Boys) and replace the alternator. Clearly, something is not right there. It seems that every alternator I buy at Pep Boys has a problem. My previous car was an 88 Lincoln Mark VII LSC, for which I also bought an alternator at Pep Boys. When that one went bad I brought it back for an exchange. The punch line is that a replacement was only found after two (2) of the alternators were found to be defective right out of the box. Luckily, the third worked. Mike Someone one this board (Jason I think) had just replaced his alternator with an aftermarket one. Still had a no charge indication. Replaced it with a new Delco and all was well. Turns out the Delco has some curcuitry that the aftermarkets don't so the PCM doesn't "see" the aftermarket alternator. Just food for thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAC Posted February 21, 2004 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2004 Gentleman: It looks like your right about grease burning off. Today, no problems. WOW, bad experience! Might need counseling after this one. All I could picture is standing on the side of the road while my Eldo goes up in smoke. Perhaps its time to buy a car fire extinguisher. Larry, thanks for the heads-up about aftermarket alternators. That might explain my situation regarding problems recognizing voltage on start-up and why there is constant voltage fluctuation. I’m going to investigate. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crozier Posted February 23, 2004 Report Share Posted February 23, 2004 I had this exact thing happen in my old 93 Buick Park Avenue. Totally freaked me out. No problems ever again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob D Posted February 23, 2004 Report Share Posted February 23, 2004 If you go to the home page here and open the searchable archives, there is a bit of info there on this subject. It pretty much agrees with this string. Here's an excerpt: >"This is a common problem in all GM switches, and is usually wrongly diagnoses as a defective switch. The lubricating grease comes in contact with th switch contacts and creates a resistance and therefore heat. The smoke is the result. It can be left alone, but if it persists, then the switch should be exposed and cleaned."< '93 STS.. opened, dropped, wide...fast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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