So while I was driving today on the highway, my car stalled once, but started right back in about 2 seconds. About 15 mins later, it stalled again, and this time it took more then a couple seconds to get going, but just for cautionary purposes I got off the highway and pulled into a school parking lot. While I was getting off the highway and into the parking lot, I saw smoke coming fromt he ignition box area, and something tells me its a wire problem. I checked the fuse, and the fuse is fine. Now when I try to start the car, it starts but just shuts right off. Im really confused as to what to do, but I am going to try to open the ignition box to see if anything is burned. I have a 98 accord with 146k miles. Any suggestions from anyone asap would be a great help...thanks is advance

 

If the ignition switch is flakey, it could smoke like you describe. Full contact is not being made and the current through the remaining small area heats the metal. Only the contact part of the ignition switch needs to be replaced if it's the problem. The original key cylinder is reused.

 

So is this something I can do myself with some tools, or is this something I have to get a mechanic for? The car is at a secured parking lot and I'm trying to get a mechanic to come there, but if not then I will have to get a tow truck and tow it to the shop. But also, it was just white smoke, nothing seemed to be burning.

also someone told me it could be a problem with the gas, maybe there is some water in my tank? or maybe I'm just out of gas and the needle is inaccurate, since there is no light that comes on?

 

and should I just try to replace the ignition switch myself, because from what I'm researching that seems to be the problem.

 

If what you report is acurate, smoke from the column, the ignition switch would be a likely source. I never replaced one myself, but it seems to entail removing the column shrouds, then there are two small phillips head screws that hold the switch part of the ignition to the key cylinder. It can be a do-it-yourself job, but I don't know how well that would work out in some parking lot.