Smoke coming from console

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Smoke coming from console

August 07, 2010, 09:31:35 AM

I hope someone here can help me. I am new to Ford/Mercury products. I have been a mopar nut my whole life..I just bought a 1986 Turbo Cougar Auto. I was driving it yesterday and it started smoking from the console near the gear selector. I have 2 questions. How do you get the console off. I cant seem to get it off with out breaking it and secondly Is this a common problem with these cars and what should I be looking for? Thank you to anyone that responds.

Smoke coming from console

Reply #1 – August 07, 2010, 11:11:54 AM

If you look on the side of the trim around the gear selector you have a screw on each side(you might need to slide the seat back to see it) then the frt has 2 tabs. As to the second part I have never had one smoke and there isnt much in that area other than the shifter assy. I have the same car and can snap some pics if you get in there and need some reference

Smoke coming from console

Reply #2 – August 07, 2010, 12:24:33 PM

Do both of the power windows still work? My switch started smoking when I tried to put the drivers side window down a few days ago..

smoke

Reply #3 – August 07, 2010, 04:36:06 PM

okay thanks..got the console out now..no the right side window will no longer move

Smoke coming from console

Reply #4 – August 07, 2010, 09:01:21 PM

the switch probably burned out. Mine just did.

smoke in the console

Reply #5 – August 08, 2010, 10:21:39 AM

can they burn out when they are not being used?

Smoke coming from console

Reply #6 – August 14, 2010, 04:08:54 AM

there is a red/light blue wire that would be hot at all times directly connected to the switch.
it is controlled by circuit breaker 14 (20A).

if it were being somehow grounded out, the breaker would always be open.
these breakers work perfect for this application where horsepower is required.

I would walk right out to the car and feel all those silver little box things on your fuse panel. If one of them is hot with no key in, you just found your problem.

if you have no power to the red/light blue wire on the switch connector the same breaker will obviously be cold and the harness is jacked up somewere along the way where you saw smoke.
guessing you will rape the interior and find the wire has bonded to chassis ground somewhere along the console area and lies there as an open ckt.

if the driver window works, then the power up to the switch is fine and the two wires yellow/red and red/yellow that exit the switch are jacked up.
to test this part, just hold the pass and driver window switches down together, if your driver window works but the pass does not, then the above wires are even more likly jacked up.

there are a few other things to check as well though.

Smoke coming from console

Reply #7 – August 14, 2010, 02:48:38 PM

When my turbo feed line broke and sprayed onto my turbo while I was driving, alot of smoke came from the console too. Could also be a valve cover leak and smoke from the oil burning off too. It will go through the console if you are driving.

Smoke coming from console

Reply #8 – August 17, 2010, 11:34:53 AM

Thank you everyone. I discovered a huge gasket failure on manifold leading to turbo..gonna fix that...still looking at wiring

Smoke coming from console

Reply #9 – August 17, 2010, 11:58:46 AM

The same rule applies to automobiles as it does to computers.

Never, ever allow the smoke to get out. It's always bad.