I was about 50 miles into my 95 mile commute driving in rain when I noticed smoke lightly rolling out from the area under the steering wheel. Prior to that, the tach dropped (stopped working) a couple times, then came back to life. Also, the wipers were operating slower than normal.

I pulled over and turned the car off, concerned that the car may be on fire, popped the hood and look around. Nothing. I get back in, and it won't start. When I turn to accessory, none of the dummy lights come on (regarless of clutch position). I get nothing out of the ECU regardless of key position, or after pulling waiting a minute, then reinstalling the ecu fuse.

Headlights, emergancy flashers, radio, cig lighter, and sun roof all work. Turn signals and wiper (in any position) do not work, nor will car start. NOTHING happens when I turn the key except the dummy lights flash for a brief moment.

I've checked the battery, all fuses, and the starting relay to this point, but all are good. I've searched the archives without finding anything relevant. I've had a bad main relay before, this isn't the same thing.

My hunch is that there's a ground problem or an open wire that got wet, but I'm not sure where to start. I've got my FSM and will start reading, but if anyone has any ideas, let me know as I'm currently commuting 4 hours and any time you can save me would be GREATLY appreciated!!!

Phil
1990 Honda Civic SI *STOCK*
209k miles. I know... I can't believe something went wrong this early in it's life!

 

uttt ohhh

 

your wiring basically caught fire or melted.
Something didnt have a fuse, when wires short like that, they blow fuses, unless they didnt have one to begin with. - the ignition wire may be the culprit since it has a large enough fuse (i think 70A) not to blow right away.
pull apart the plastic around the steering column and you'll probably find a melted wire. That would be the first thing to replace lol


oh and check fuses under dash... your lights would come on since you seem to have power to sunroof etc..
Dont sya you already checked them because trust me, there's a blown one in there somewhere.

And if you do find it, dont replace it, find the culprit of the smoke and replace that wire / find out the true cause. Otherwise you'll blow more fuses and risk the safety of your car.
Use 10-15A fuses only.
No jumpering the fuse point "just to get it to run because the fuses keep blowing" you'll catch your car on fire like that.

 

Same thing happened to me. Shortly after, main relay went out on me. Replaced main relay and started right up. Since then I have only replaced the ignition starter switch and all is fine. No more scary smoky. I don't know if this will fix your problem, but keep it in mind when you go replacing things. Start with fuses first of all. And check your wires running down the steering column and under the dash. Something definately burnt up.