Burned electronics

[LukeZ]

Hey guys, wanted to see if anyone has had a similar problem to this so I can get it fixed quick.

I was driving the Camino and a bunch of gray smoke came out of the dash from the steering column and it smelled terrible. It went away after 3 seconds. I pulled over and turned off the engine to see if it was alright, and it looked fine to me. I start the car again and notice my battery is not charging (voltmeter dropped to like 11-12 volts, usually at 14-15). I checked every fuse, and everything still works. Any ideas what could have fried? I'm thinking some kind of wires. I'll have to check the alternator with a multimeter tomorrow to make sure it's still good (maybe it fried? The little bolt that holds the wire on the back of it looked like it might be burnt, but I assumed it was jus regular grime), but it's less than 2 years old so it should be fine. I'll post that here when I do it.

Just wanted to see if anyone had ever had a problem like this with their G body. It's an 86 with a 305 by the way. Thanks

 

[pagrunt]

It's something under the dash that grounded out. First thing to ask is did you/is there any add on wired accessory under the dash? Bad wire job could of lead to a short that relased all that smoke.

 

[LukeZ]

It's something under the dash that grounded out. First thing to ask is did you/is there any add on wired accessory under the dash? Bad wire job could of lead to a short that relased all that smoke.

I have a set of LED strips in the engine bay wired to my cigarette lighter (they're on a switch - always off. They still work when I checked this morning). I also have my LED taillights wired to the cigarette lighter. They also still work. The cig lighter wire is always hot btw. I put both additions on there so I can use them with the key off.

I checked the alternator with the car running this morning - 12.02 volts. I even drove it on a 3 hour trip last night (headlights and everything on) after then problem occurred. Battery read 12.02 also (both running and not running). I think the alternator is good.

I'll have to take the dash apart to check for grounded wires, maybe something is frayed. Thanks for the advice man