acassity

I have a 1999 TL 3.2 Acura with 90,000 miles on it. Twice recently after driving several hours, thin wisps of smoke continuously came the top of the steering column near the rotating steering wheel mechanism connects to the column. A mechanic along the highway could not detect any problem. After the car is off for awhile, the problem seems to go away until the car has been driven further.

Help? I have an appointment with a local Acura dealer in a few days, but I wanted to know if anyone has heard of this unusual problem. Thanks!

01tl4tl

Were you driving with the headlights on for hours? Any smell with the smoke?

Do you have fire coverage?- then just carry a small extinguisher with you
Just guessing here: Wires in there are getting hot and will soon erupt or melt

phee

iTrader: (5)

sounds like a short. does it smell like burning electronics? or exhause fumes? are all your fuses of the correct amperage? keep a fire extinguisher

acassity

Thanks for the initial info. No headlights were on at the time. It smells like wires/plastic smell and fuses have never been changed to my knowledge. Any idea on the fix or could if be pretty much anything in the column? Thanks!

02type-s

Prolly some wires melting, I would try to not drive it much till its fixed.

phee

iTrader: (5)

make ceartain the fuses are the correct amperage! and if you are skilled at diy, take apart your console/dash and find the culprit. it may save you some money

you can look in our DIY forum for the led install guide and use the instructions from that to take of the instrument cluster

Tech7427

possible ignition switch issue..

id look into that.

wilp99

the 1g cl's have an ignition switch recall due to them possibly catching on fire. the tl maybee covered too..

wilp99

have you hooked anything up to the ignition.. alarm, stereo, foglights etc.

Bob_F

There was a recall on the ignition switch for the 1999 TL. If that hasn't been taken care of yet, Acura will install a replacement for free. Call Acura with you car's VIN number to check on the status of the recall. You can also check online if you've registered your car with Acura.com.

And even if the ignition switch was replaced under the recall, the replacements have been known to fail. The replacement ignition switch in my 1999 TL started malfunctioning last year.

ChrisQ1980

Eeesh, that sounds scary. I'd take it in right away and drive as little as possible until it's looked at. Hopefully it's the recall so you don't have to pay.

acassity

I just wanted to say "Thank You" for all the great information on this smoking steering column issue. One of you mentioned that there was an earlier recall on the ignition switch. I mentioned that to the local Acura dealer and the switch was the problem! They replaced it under warranty even though the recall period was technically over. Thanks again for all the information and suggestions! AC

Bob_F

That's great news! Glad to help out.

And the recalls never actually expire.