89GranSport Posted May 26, 2008 Report Share Posted May 26, 2008 Well, my Regal hasn't been driven in about a week, because it needs to have the struts replaced. My brother started my car a few days ago, and everything seemed fine. But when I went to start it today, within a few seconds of putting the key into the ignition and starting the engine, I could smell a burning odor, I looked to the driver side, and smoke was coming from the steering column, right in between the steering wheel and the steering wheel hub. On top of that, the same time I smelt the burning odor and saw the smoke, I smelled a fairly strong gasoline odor. Needless to say, I immediately turned the car off, grabbed my keys and hightailed it away from the car. I left the passenger door open so the interior could ventilate. After a few minutes, I went back into the car, and I could still smell the gasoline and I could still smell a faint odor of the burning smell. Has anyone else had this problem before? If so, what was the problem? How much did it cost to fix it (if it's even fixable)? Thanks everyone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockfangd Posted May 26, 2008 Report Share Posted May 26, 2008 sounds to me like a bad tss (turn signal stock) probably bad connection. and maybe a gas leak near the tank. Turn the key on and mess with the stock to see if everything functions. Very common issue as the grease dries out and you will see a little smoke from the column. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GOT2B GM Posted May 26, 2008 Report Share Posted May 26, 2008 add some blinker fluid. but seriously your turn signal switch is FUBARed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bodeen2007 Posted May 26, 2008 Report Share Posted May 26, 2008 the smoke from the steering column is the turn signal switch. mine did that. the gas smell could be a whole list of stuff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unclehotte Posted May 26, 2008 Report Share Posted May 26, 2008 Yepp, I get smoke out of my Cutlass steering wheel,too. B.T.W......where can I find blinker fluid??? Advance and autozone claim to have none??? Just kidding Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jake63 Posted May 26, 2008 Report Share Posted May 26, 2008 You probably have a rotted out fuel line either on the supply or return line most likely under the car and not so much near the engine because there's usually enough fluid leaks to keep that area rust free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockfangd Posted May 26, 2008 Report Share Posted May 26, 2008 You probably have a rotted out fuel line either on the supply or return line most likely under the car and not so much near the engine because there's usually enough fluid leaks to keep that area rust free. lol isnt that the truth, except the ps cooler Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89GranSport Posted May 27, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 27, 2008 Well, earlier today, my dad started the car and smoke started coming out of the steering wheel again, he started moving the steering wheel around and messed with the turn signal switch, everything on the turn signal switch worked fine, and the smoke stopped after my dad moved around the steering wheel. So I don't know what was causing the smoke, but it seems to have stopped for now. I thought I smelt the gasoline odor again, but my dad said he couldn't smell it, so maybe it's just me. I'll make sure the fuel lines are checked when the car is lifted up to replace the struts. Thanks for the quick responses guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bodeen2007 Posted May 27, 2008 Report Share Posted May 27, 2008 Well, earlier today, my dad started the car and smoke started coming out of the steering wheel again, he started moving the steering wheel around and messed with the turn signal switch, everything on the turn signal switch worked fine, and the smoke stopped after my dad moved around the steering wheel. So I don't know what was causing the smoke, but it seems to have stopped for now. I thought I smelt the gasoline odor again, but my dad said he couldn't smell it, so maybe it's just me. I'll make sure the fuel lines are checked when the car is lifted up to replace the struts. Thanks for the quick responses guys! Your turn signal switch might have gotten some grease in between the contacts and that would make it start smoking. Next time it starts smoking check to see if both of the turn signal indicators light up slightly this means that you should replace it, But i kept just cleaning out mine for about a year until it got real bad and the i decided to replace it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89GranSport Posted May 28, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 28, 2008 Well, earlier today, my dad started the car and smoke started coming out of the steering wheel again, he started moving the steering wheel around and messed with the turn signal switch, everything on the turn signal switch worked fine, and the smoke stopped after my dad moved around the steering wheel. So I don't know what was causing the smoke, but it seems to have stopped for now. I thought I smelt the gasoline odor again, but my dad said he couldn't smell it, so maybe it's just me. I'll make sure the fuel lines are checked when the car is lifted up to replace the struts. Thanks for the quick responses guys! Your turn signal switch might have gotten some grease in between the contacts and that would make it start smoking. Next time it starts smoking check to see if both of the turn signal indicators light up slightly this means that you should replace it, But i kept just cleaning out mine for about a year until it got real bad and the i decided to replace it. Yeah, that might have been the problem. Thanks for the tip! If it starts smoking again, and the signal lights come on, I'll replace the TSS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regal_GS_1989 Posted May 28, 2008 Report Share Posted May 28, 2008 My cutlass did the same thing too. I cleaned out the switch, rebent the contacts, and put a tiny bit of new grease on the contact points and the switch was as good as new. Over 2 years later and it was still working as it should. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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