Puffs of smoke- dashboard

[IsR]

Did my search but always end up with smoke from exhaust or engine compartment. Hopefully search 'guru' can give me some links to work on:wink:

Anyway, cranking the car to start .This time around it takes slightly longer then usual. Just after the car started I noticed couple of puffs of smoke from underneath steering column. Car shut down. Puffs of smoke still seen for awhile. Left it for a couple of minutes- let the air clears.
After awhile, cranked the car to start again. This time around no puffs of smoke or smell of electrical burns. Further checked the a/c, healights, radio, turn indicators and all dash displays were normal, except couple of minutes hand brake indicator was illuminated(this happened before -I believe its the car's grounding)
Any ideas?

 

[DutchBlackNsx]

Take everything apart from under there, and have a look where its comming from.
I would not drive the car anymore, until you have found whats wrong, you wont be the first who sets his car on fire after seeing smoke comming from under the dash.

In my nearly 7 years on prime, i have not read this before on a NSX.

 

[nsx1]

you wont be the first who sets his car on fire after seeing smoke comming from under the dash.

In my nearly 7 years on prime, i have not read this before on a NSX.

Dutch, this sounds contradictory. Please clarify.

 

[LJSB]

Everything Dutch said, excellent advice but first:

DISCONNECT YOUR BATTERY IMMEDIATELY!

Keep it disconnected when unattended until you find and repair the problem ESPECIALLY if the car in your garage. Be able to disconnect it at a moments notice and I suggest keeping a fire extinguisher handy.

It could start a fire at any time.

DO IT NOW.

 

[LJSB]

Dutch, this sounds contradictory. Please clarify.

I get it. Think about it and you will too.:smile:

 

[OLDMNSX]

IsR What electrical work has been done under the dash recently? Have you installed a remote system or remote starter system? Had stereo work done? Have you installed any brackets that may have crushed a wire that may be shorting now when the starter is energized? This is obviously from someone being under the dash and doing some wiring work.

When you get down there look for a wire that is discolored or possibly had the insulation melted off of it. Removing the drivers seat will greatly improve the comfort while doing this research. Four bolts and a couple connectors. Let us know what you find.

Good Luck,

 

[IsR]

Battery disconnected.
OLDMNSX- not much work, might be the alarm system/remote start. Other then that my car even still have the aging OEM stereo-which also might be a source(?). Will get to the bottom of it and post the outcome.

 

[nsxtasy]

Is this actual smoke, or just water vapor from the A/C (which is common and not a cause for concern)?

 

[IsR]

Is this actual smoke, or just water vapor from the A/C (which is common and not a cause for concern)?

Nope not the A/C, the car was full static- nothing on. Just initiated an engine start

 

[DutchBlackNsx]

Dutch, this sounds contradictory. Please clarify.

Not every car on this planet is a nsx.

 

[IsR]

Update, took off panels under the steering column. Had a good look underneath- no apparent electrical burn, tad bit of electrical burn smell still lingers. But I did notice the one of the alarm connectors were coming undone and was exposed. I resecure the connector.Did just removed the remote start module just for safe measures.
Had couple of starts during the day with all the panel still down- nothing seen- no re occurrence
Could be the exposed connector was arching during start?

 

[Doc308]

Any exposed wire near a ground could cause that. I'd keep the covers off for awhile and do many starts and idling while carefully observing the wiring before driving the car, just to be sure that that was the problem. Reconnect any sloppy looking connections and cover with electrical insullation tape/covers.

 

[94BlkNSXinNC]

What year is your NSX? Sounds like you may have found the culprit, but JIC check your "steering switch" (also called ignition switch/relay). I can't imagine it smoking (usually it just looses its recoil action and hinders cranking) but I do know that for the earlier year models (mine is a 94, and loosing its cranking/staying cranked function) it is about time to replace it. It is an inexpensive part (approx. $60 from Delray Acura @ www.acuraoemparts.com) so I would change it anyway. It is a quick job also.

Hope you have no more problems. Change that switch/relay for PM reasons also, if you get a chance. Good luck.

Chuck

 

[Tony Montoya]

Not every car on this planet is a nsx.

I think he means we heard of NSX burning down but the problem was a short at the battery or the blower motor. No shorts from under the steering have been reported before.

Smoe other NSX burnt to the ground from lighting the car cover on fire and then there was last weeks amp in the engine compartment and somebody must have had a fuel leak by now.

 

[pacacu]

it happened to my 91 X a few month back upon start up. The rev. counter shorted out for no apparent reason.. the rest of the dash and switches were OK. Costed me a few bucks to replace the resistors on the rev. counter. A scary experience to say the least.

 

[IsR]

it happened to my 91 X a few month back upon start up. The rev. counter shorted out for no apparent reason.. the rest of the dash and switches were OK. Costed me a few bucks to replace the resistors on the rev. counter. A scary experience to say the least.

Where is the resistor located? My rev counter works ok, but don't mind checking.

 

[DutchBlackNsx]

With electronics you never know what to expect. Removing some panels might just diverse the smoke through a different route.
I would be very carefull at this stage. Also, removing the panels might have relocated an exposed wire.
A 'bad' contact doesnt often make a lot of smoke, only if there is some serious burning going on, which should be visible.

Definetely check all aftermarket parts and connections under there.