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Topic: warm steering column (Read 1858 times) previous topic - next topic

warm steering column

I posted this topic a long time ago and here is the deal still.
my steering column gets very very warm at the part where the top cover exits the bottom of the inst cluster.

this only happens an night when i guess lights are on.

I drove around with my column covers off in order to feel wiring while the lights were on.

the metal steering column is not all that warm niether is the ign sw.

the heat happens when the covers are on
it feels like the hot spot is on the very top inbetween the ign sw and where the top cover exits the inst cluster.

can anyone else compare this for me on thier car when driving with lights on?

Heat rises so im confussed on where its coming from.  If it were dash light bulbs,, the heat would just rise out to the top of the dash.

if it were the ign sw, the hot spot would be near it but the heat is down hill from the ign sw.

Re: warm steering column

Reply #1 –
How about the left side, where the wires connect to the dimmer/signal switch. Are your plugs lumps of melted plastic like mine were?
Death awaits you all with nasty, big, pointy teeth.

1988 5.0 Bird, mostly stock, partly not, now gone to T-Bird heaven.
1990 Volvo 740GL. 114 tire-shredding horsies, baby!

Re: warm steering column

Reply #2 –
no, i would have felt that heat on the harness's as i drove.  I dont see any stressed connections.

Re: warm steering column

Reply #3 –
i dont know about you, but i cant waite to hear the answer for this one. i have the same problem sometimes. i should probley get a new ign. switch if i can still find new ones. but sence the batt. is dissconnected im not to worried about it now.

Re: warm steering column

Reply #4 –
In general, yes, they will get warm. It does seem to be more prevalent at night; all of my cars have always done that. Now 'warm' means not burning your hand when you touch it...if that's the case it may be time to install a new ignition switch. My theory has always been that the ignition switch is barely qualified enough to handle the multitude of power wires going through it. It is our weakest link, our Achilles heel, if you will. There is no solution save for getting a new one, at least that I'm aware of.

Does the inside of the column covers (top and bottom) show any signs of burning or melting?

Re: warm steering column

Reply #5 –
no signs of burning anywhere.  When i brought this up a long time ago, thunderchicken told me to get an ign switch.  I recently got around to taking his advice but over the past few weeks, i was able to leave the covers off and observe if in fact it is the ign switch or not. 

the ign sw does not get warm and neither does the harness.  Its funny how the steering column gets a little warm but i often wonder if the heat from the exhaust pipes travel that heat as well as the combined heat radiating off the dash making it feel hotter at night.

Re: warm steering column

Reply #6 –
Eric: there is a solution, but it involves some work and three heavy duty (75 amp) relays. I did it in my car when I installed the remote starter. One of these days I'll do up a diagram - never bothered before because I figured it was not a high demand project.

For the record, my headlight switch only carries the load of relays too. Learned that lesson when I installed the 80/100 bulbs in my old '87 and burned the harness.
2015 Mustang GT Premium - 5.0, 6-speed, Guard Green - too much awesome for one car

1988 5.0 Thunderbird :birdsmily: SOLD SEPT 11 2010: TC front clip/hood ♣ Body & paint completed Oct 2007 ♣ 3.55 TC rear end and front brakes ♣ TC interior ♣ CHE rear control arms (adjustable lowers) ♣ 2001 Bullitt springs ♣ Energy suspension poly busings ♣ Kenne Brown subframe connectors ♣ CWE engine mounts ♣ Thundercat sequential turn signals ♣ Explorer overhead console (temp/compass display) ♣ 2.25" off-road dual exhaust ♣ T-5 transmission swap completed Jan 2009 ♣
 

Re: warm steering column

Reply #7 –
I figured you had something up your sleeve for that, Carm. :)

That would make a lot of sense...the factory power distribution in our cars is so close to the edge, it's no wonder we get so much heat generated. I think for most people running stock headlights and whatnot, they're going to be alright. But for those of us running higher-draining components (stereo, higher-wattage bulbs, etc.) that would be a real lifesaver. Plus it's nice to have another break in the system to catch things before the column erupts into flames. ;)

The things Ford engineers got away with 20 years ago...they'd never be able to do that now!