I noticed on Christmas Eve that my car had this terrible burning smell. At first it smelled like rotten eggs, but now it smells like rubber or paper burning. The car basically sat for a week until Jan. 2nd. the smell was still there but seemed like it was going away. I took it to a mechanic on friday, and he said he couldn't find anything. Well on Saturday, i'm out shopping and i see smoke coming out of the steering wheel column. At first i thought i was tripping, till I saw it again. I tried showing it to my father and he said he didn't see anything. He says its okay to drive it, but i don't think so. I just feel that smoke in that area is not normal nor is it okay. Am i'm wrong for thinking/feeling that? Am being overparanoid? Has this happened to anyone?
Please help me out, I'm looking for anything and welcome all questions, comments and/or concerns. :-) by the way it's a 99 chevy cavalier, if that helps...........Thanks
2007-01-07 09:24:29 · 10 answers · asked by TAMEKA E 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
The last time I had smoke coming out of the steering column (yes, this has happened more than once to me, but the other time, the cause was so weird and complicated it's not likely to happen to you), it was on an old Triumph Spitfire where the high beam switch had caught on fire. Even though Chevy's electronics are a lot better than those on old British cars, I still suspect that it's an electrical fire.
There are a few other possibilities, but they all involve smoke you would see under the hood while the engine is running. I'd crank it up (with a fire extinguisher handy!) and see if anything under the hood smokes - if not, it's likely to be a slow-burning electrical fire.
And a car with burning electronics is not safe to drive. There are too many things that could go wrong, from other things catching on fire to the engine suddenly quitting.
The good news is that it's probably burnt to the point that anyone who can disassemble the electronics in the steering column can find it.
2007-01-07 09:34:59 · answer #1 · answered by Mad Scientist Matt 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In reference to your first question,don't you think a check of the cooling system is in order,the anti-freeze you put in it 2 days ago is a result of possibly a cracked radiator tank, or hole in your rad,a cracked head on the right bank or a leak in the head gasket.ouch. As for your second question do you think this vehicle should leave the driveway before a thorough look underneath it, you should inspect the suspension system as well as the tires and wheels. It could be anything from a worn steering box, to ball joints, to wheel bearings to a broken motor or transaxle mount. You need to resolve these issues before you drive this car any further. If you need help maybe you know someone that is knowledgeable in these areas. For a 91 that's not a lot of miles,you are going to have to put out some bucks though to fix these problems, especially the cooling system problem. Bestof luck to you.
2016-03-14 02:45:42 · answer #2 · answered by Nedra 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my car had a similar problem. it was the switch in the steering column for the directional signals. The smoke came out 1 time then didn't do it again for a couple months then smoked again and the directionals quit working. I was told that this was a common problem on the Beretta's and I assume that the cavalier would use a similar switch.
2007-01-07 09:37:16 · answer #3 · answered by Aviator1013 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
My Chevrolet 2005 IMPALA started smoking from the steering column. I was sitting at a restaurant and the waitress said you left your lights on. Lights are suppose to shut off automatically. I went to shut them off and inserted the key and smoke was coming out of the steering column. My wipers were going full force also. COULD IT BE MY STEERING COLUMN WENT OUT??????????
2015-07-15 08:48:09 · answer #4 · answered by r_mchaney 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it could be oil burning smell but there are a lot of wires running thru the column they could be shorting out when you have the steering wheel in a certain position,have mechanic check to be sure
2007-01-07 09:29:14 · answer #5 · answered by oldmanarnie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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i dont know about the smoke/steam, but the stearing column... if you mean the steering wheels wobbles, then its probably just because u hit a curb or ran a pothole which dis-aligned your wheels. its a quick fix at the mechanics. just go for a wheel alignment. gl
2016-04-05 06:54:07 · answer #6 · answered by Erika 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your battery is the culprit is the only thing that may smell like rotten eggs.
you need to replace the alternator because is overcharging the battery and might burn it. the battery
P.S. the wiring are only suffering the high voltage,that why the are hot.
please trust me on this.
2007-01-07 10:22:14 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its burning oil, it sounds like its getting to hot, it might even be a belt, but id go with the oil thing
2007-01-07 09:26:13 · answer #8 · answered by John G 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Take it to another shop and have them diagnose the problem. tell them that you took it to anotehr shop and they found nothing but the problem still presists. That would be your best bet.
2007-01-07 09:29:29 · answer #9 · answered by gregthomasparke 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
power steering is shot
2007-01-07 09:27:08 · answer #10 · answered by hiding1959 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋