BN Posted October 10, 2009 Report Share Posted October 10, 2009 On my 93 Cutlass convertible I recently removed an aftermarket radio and put an original Delco AM/FM/Cassette in it's place. A couple times I've been driving with radio on and noticed smoke coming out of steering column where it tilts. I right away turned off radio and it stopped. I pulled radio out and looked behind for signs of burning but everything looks ok. I also pulled off steering wheel control cover but that also looks ok. Any ideas how to locate the problem? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xtremerevolution Posted October 10, 2009 Report Share Posted October 10, 2009 You're definitely not the first. Turn signal switch. I'm 100% sure o it. You'll need a steering wheel puller. The part should be around $50 if you have redundant steering wheel controls, aka RSWC, and $40 if you don't. I've seen them go for less than that though. It will take you about an hour if you've never done it. Prepare to stick your head under the dash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White93z34 Posted October 10, 2009 Report Share Posted October 10, 2009 honestly as long as the turn signals and brake lights work fine you can let it go, nothing ill will come of it. and the part is about $90ish regardless of SWRC or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy K Posted October 10, 2009 Report Share Posted October 10, 2009 i personally service mine by opening them up, clean contacts, add dielectric grease to prevent corrosion and reduce wear, reassemble and test. if you find damage like melted plastic or worn out contacts replace the unit. proper testing involves a walk around check verifying that all lights are applied when: turn signal in each direction hazard lights brakes applied - the brake lights go through the turn signals and may not working. you would never know. brakes applied with the signal on in each direction - the brake lights might not work in all positions. it you fail these tests.... p.s. the brake lights go through the TSS, on all cars except GEN 1 pontiacs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Euro Posted October 10, 2009 Report Share Posted October 10, 2009 honestly as long as the turn signals and brake lights work fine you can let it go, nothing ill will come of it. X2. My Lumina's smoked for a few seconds every so often, but all of the functions of the switch worked fine still. Then one day it smoked for 45 minutes straight, then the turn signals started to be a pain....they still worked, but you had to hold the switch for the right signal to function. It didn't bother me, so I didn't fix it. My dad drove my car a couple of times, got fed up with using that, and took it in for me and paid for it to get fixed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EviLette Posted October 10, 2009 Report Share Posted October 10, 2009 Mine has smoked once in the nearly 5 years I've owned the car... but I have ALWAYS had to hold the signal stalk to signal a turn. As far as I know, all of my lights/signals/etc are working properly, its just a P.I.T.A., and consequentially, nobody drives the car but me (SCORE!). However, a cancelling spring has finally snapped from it being held through the turns... oh well, c'est la vie? What they said, LOL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BN Posted October 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2009 WOW, This site is great. I never would have guessed that. Does the part come from a GM dealer or an auto parts store? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AL Posted October 10, 2009 Report Share Posted October 10, 2009 both Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BN Posted October 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2009 Also,,,,, Does the radio being on have nothing to do with it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White93z34 Posted October 10, 2009 Report Share Posted October 10, 2009 nothing to do with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuminaPower92 Posted October 10, 2009 Report Share Posted October 10, 2009 One of the common W body issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GOT2B GM Posted October 10, 2009 Report Share Posted October 10, 2009 I love the look on passengers faces when whisps of smoke curl out of the steering column and I don't become alarmed.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuminaPower92 Posted October 11, 2009 Report Share Posted October 11, 2009 Its almost like having a L67 BBQ and sitting on the side of the road with marshmellows. Imagine the look of the passing motorists or even the passengers. "Dont worry its normal." Better yet pop out a mentos. The fresh maker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digitaloutsider Posted October 11, 2009 Report Share Posted October 11, 2009 I don't smoke, but my steering column does. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xtremerevolution Posted October 11, 2009 Report Share Posted October 11, 2009 honestly as long as the turn signals and brake lights work fine you can let it go, nothing ill will come of it. and the part is about $90ish regardless of SWRC or not. check the rockauto prices. $52 with SWRC, $82 with SWRC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy K Posted October 11, 2009 Report Share Posted October 11, 2009 honestly as long as the turn signals and brake lights work fine you can let it go, nothing ill will come of it. and the part is about $90ish regardless of SWRC or not. check the rockauto prices. $52 with SWRC, $82 with SWRC. ??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrett Powered Posted October 24, 2009 Report Share Posted October 24, 2009 x2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spilly Posted October 25, 2009 Report Share Posted October 25, 2009 No doubt about it that it's the turn signal switch, that's exactly what mine did. But why do people insist you need a steering wheel puller? I just half loosened the center nut and tapped on the back of the steering wheel with a mallet until it popped forward, and then removed the nut and the steering wheel comes right off. I did this with my Regal, and junkyard Lumina that I yanked the TSS from. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevo Posted October 26, 2009 Report Share Posted October 26, 2009 Turn signal switch. My 88' needed it replaced. Back when I didn't do work on my car I paid $180 for one and it turned out that the assholes that installed it soldered the old one and charged me for new because I pulled my column apart years later to install a new one I got to see an original switch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy K Posted October 26, 2009 Report Share Posted October 26, 2009 No doubt about it that it's the turn signal switch, that's exactly what mine did. But why do people insist you need a steering wheel puller? I just half loosened the center nut and tapped on the back of the steering wheel with a mallet until it popped forward, and then removed the nut and the steering wheel comes right off. I did this with my Regal, and junkyard Lumina that I yanked the TSS from. BAD! you can break the wheel or column. puller = safe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevo Posted October 26, 2009 Report Share Posted October 26, 2009 The key here is HARMONIC puller as you cannot tap the wheel off in a uniform way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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