Smoking.....from steering wheel - SRT Forums

GrenEggz · 10-27-2009, 06:34 PM

So today when I was cruising around the city. I noticed my car was smoking coming from where the hazard button is. The smoke was faint, white/milky, and dissipated quickly (ie before the top of the dashboard). The smell isn't like burning oil or anything. It smells like something electrical.

I noticed behind the steering wheel column there are a bunch of wires (ignition?) and I was hopping this is not the issue. After I noticed it i pulled over right away, turned off the car checked under the hood. A OK. Afterwards it was all good, I couldn't see any smoke. However a few hours later on the highway, I didnt see any smoke but I still smelt that smell. Maybe this could be the lingering smell or something.
Mods: Stage1, SRI installed the day before.
Car runs the same, no cells.
Please say I was tripping balls. Because electrical problems on cars I do not deal with

Gringo3825 · 10-27-2009, 10:25 PM

check your connector that controls your headlights and see if it's melted. it usually melts the black w/yellow stripe. and it means $64 for a connector splice kit and $70 for a new multi function switch. Good luck with that having same problem.

GrenEggz · 10-28-2009, 01:08 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Gringo3825

check your connector that controls your headlights and see if it's melted. it usually melts the black w/yellow stripe. and it means $64 for a connector splice kit and $70 for a new multi function switch. Good luck with that having same problem.

Ok will look into that. How wasy was that swap from the old to the new multifunction switch? Why does this happen/Whats the cause?

Gringo3825 · 10-28-2009, 05:20 PM

dodge made it that is what's wrong with it. found out it's not my switch but you need a torx head screwdriver looks pretty easy and straight forward. there is a big thread on that if that is your problem. Search the forum for "Fire in the dash" 35 pages long.

GrenEggz · 10-28-2009, 06:48 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Gringo3825

dodge made it that is what's wrong with it. found out it's not my switch but you need a torx head screwdriver looks pretty easy and straight forward. there is a big thread on that if that is your problem. Search the forum for "Fire in the dash" 35 pages long.

Thanks for refering me there. I'm currently reading this lonnng post. If you could help me out, do you remember if you got a specific connector splice kit (64 seems kinda high) and where you gota new multi function switch? I have been reading that post however its hard to get any information from it because its so long. Thanks though.

Gringo3825 · 10-28-2009, 07:53 PM

the part number from the dodge dealership i have is 5183442AA list is 71.41 net is 64.35. got a multifuction switch from autozone for 69. orielly does not have it tried there first cause their price was cheaper. the connector kit is alot cheaper and way more time consuming and hope you are electrically inclined cause if your wires are toast soldering is going to be your new trade for a few hours. the other alternative is 1400 for a whole new harness if that is your problem. Good luck! Really hope you do not have this issue.

blackedOutSrt44 · 10-28-2009, 07:54 PM

this happened to me before

haha i dropped a cig behind my steering wheel i was like FACK and i dumped a little wattter back there

Gringo3825 · 10-29-2009, 05:06 PM

You find out your problem?

ChadSRT · 10-31-2009, 12:25 AM

ive heard of srts burning to the ground from this problem....scary

GrenEggz · 10-31-2009, 05:01 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Gringo3825

You find out your problem?

Yeah I removed the steering wheel column and looked underneath of the connector and there was a slight brownish color and small area where it was melting in the center of the connector. I havent fixed it yet

because I dont have the parts nor know all of them. I am keeping the cover off to monitor the situation and heat levels.

@ChadSRT: Yeah. Thats scary. I dont know how I'd feel

/

GrenEggz · 10-31-2009, 05:04 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Gringo3825

the part number from the dodge dealership i have is 5183442AA list is 71.41 net is 64.35. got a multifuction switch from autozone for 69. orielly does not have it tried there first cause their price was cheaper. the connector kit is alot cheaper and way more time consuming and hope you are electrically inclined cause if your wires are toast soldering is going to be your new trade for a few hours. the other alternative is 1400 for a whole new harness if that is your problem. Good luck! Really hope you do not have this issue.

correction. I know the parts now.

m_dunnie · 11-06-2009, 09:49 PM

Quick run down.....the multifunction switch harness wire gauge is too small for the amount of amperage drawn with both headlights and foglights running at the same time. You'll need a separate power source for the fog lights, ie...use a relay to power the foglights. Do a search for foglight rewire.

I repaired mine with the rewire kit from Dodge and have not used my foglights since.