Dash started smoking...A LOT!

nello

Active member
So I moved outta my studio into a house over the weekend and was using my Sy to move some average boxes...nothing to heavy. I got the truck loaded and was about to roll out, I started my truck and it fired right up per usual...with a ploom of blue smoke of course. But this time something was different...I started hearing something coming from what seemed to be the driver’s side under the hood, like a tick, tick, tick. I reach in to pop the hood and that's when I realize a whole lotta smoke coming from under the dash. I cut the engine pronto, the smoking continues. I thought the truck was about to go up in flames by the amount of smoke coming from under the dash so I rush to get a fire extinguisher.

I've ran back to the truck with an extinguisher but theirs only residue smoke now, no fire. It never smelt like an electrical fire either. I started checking under the dash and saw no signs of burnage, melting, frying, no clues at all. I check all my electrics, lights, brakes, gauges, intercooler pump, fuel pump, even that annoying seat belt reminder beep is working. Basically everything works except when turning the key to start, never engages the starter. I haven't had a lot of time to investigate so I was wondering if anybody had anything even slightly resembling this problem before and save me some time. My first thought is I need a new ignition but that’s about $250-300 and if I have learned anything about owning a SY it is NEVER replace or spend money on anything unless you know for sure you have found the problem.

So that’s my problem, turn the key, gauges light up, fuel pump goes on, but nothing happens with the starter. :drinking:
 

H-TOWN-TYPHOON

You're killin' me, Smalls
Re: Dash started smoking...A LOT!

More than likely purple wire syndrome.

There is a mess of wires wrapped in loom that come through the fire wall on the drivers side. Cut back some of the loom/tape and see what you can find. That's pretty much what happened with my first truck. Only problem is that I replaced ignition switch and starter before troubleshooting the wiring harness itself.
 

Jimmy

Banned
Re: Dash started smoking...A LOT!

Could be that your oil filler cap is off and your engine has a bunch of blowby which is getting into the vents.
 

jjorgensen52

NHSTE - I'm the only one!
Re: Dash started smoking...A LOT!

The no start sounds like purple wire... As for smoke, I suppose if you were unlucky enough the wire sat against the downpipe, was melting and the smoke got sucked into the ducting, so now it isn't connected
 

H-TOWN-TYPHOON

You're killin' me, Smalls
Re: Dash started smoking...A LOT!

jjorgensen52 said:
The no start sounds like purple wire... As for smoke, I suppose if you were unlucky enough the wire sat against the downpipe, was melting and the smoke got sucked into the ducting, so now it isn't connected

With mine, the purple wire burned up in the harness approximately where the loom comes around the wiper box. The smoke followed the loom and came up and out of my steering column.
 

vinnieTy

TY # 1889
Re: Dash started smoking...A LOT!

I think i know what this is. The positive cable grounding out on the exhaust or turbo. Ask me how i will know. :D If it is the purple wire that wire is to small to make a smoke like you stated. The tap sound was probably the positive cable grounding out making the arch sound. You probably burnt out some fuses or maybe even the computer. I got lucky and had the hood open and actually saw the spark plus i had a rubber malot so i was able to puch the wire away. Kind of got lucky.
 

nello

Active member
Re: Dash started smoking...A LOT!

All, thanks for your feedback. I checked on my truck last night, belay my last, something smells electrical in the cab but no smell under the hood. Checked for oil leakage, none found.

I think I can explain a little better now too. Basically when you turn the key to start it stays pegged to the start position. Normally a spring pushes the key back from start to the on position. Not anymore, resistance on the key when turning to start is gone.??? Did I burn the F'N spring? :rotf:

I know exactly what you all mean by the purple wire, mine is definitaly F.U.B.A.R. since I never fixed it before when I knew it was a problem. I was waiting since the wire was acting as an extra security measure and I was always able to get it started after the....5th or 6th try. Anybody got a part # on a new ignition and maybe the lowest price they've seen it for? Thanks again.
 
Re: Dash started smoking...A LOT!

You can get a blank cylinder from the dealership and have a locksmith key it for the original key.
 

nello

Active member
Re: Dash started smoking...A LOT!

midnightbluS10 said:
You can get a blank cylinder from the dealership and have a locksmith key it for the original key.

I'm sorry, did you say dealer? :haha: Great idea but I would never go there, EVER! Ok, maybe thats a little harsh, any other options though...please!
 

kentuc

Member
Re: Dash started smoking...A LOT!

The key and lock cylinder have nothing to do with the spring back. It`s the ignition switch on the column you need to change.
 
Re: Dash started smoking...A LOT!

nello said:
I'm sorry, did you say dealer? :haha: Great idea but I would never go there, EVER! Ok, maybe thats a little harsh, any other options though...please!


blah blah blah. It's a ****ing standard S/T series truck ignition part. Nothing special about it
 

sy2207

Donating Member
Re: Dash started smoking...A LOT!

I don't think a guy could call himself a locksmith without having any key blanks. But yes, it does sound like the ignition switch shorted out. I think it is less than $20.
 

442typhoondude

Ty'less Bum
Re: Dash started smoking...A LOT!

If I had a dollar for every time my dash started chiefing in my Jimmy, I could buy a pack of smokes and a pop. Rear defroster switch, light switches, rear wiper switch, heater switch, and my lighter. Most were just a little bit of smoke, but when my heater switch went it was bad enough I had to pull over and roll down all the windows. I figured my Jimmy was going to burn down right there. :rotf:

Now the fan switch in my 96' is starting to smoke. Damn S-series. :rant:
 

nello

Active member
Re: Dash started smoking...A LOT!

Hey thanks Kentuc! Listen to this guy, he's smart! So thats what it was, F'n ignition switch. Now I gotta fork over 40 or more dollars and drop the damn column! Coulda been worse! :thumbsup:
 
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