smoke coming from dash

[duesman]

i turned on wipers to clear ice from windshield i freed the blades 5 min previous the wipers are off i turned them on now they iced up and smoke came from the dash i turned them off immediately the smoke stopped i free'd the wipers everything else in the dash works any suggestions would be greatly appreciated as soon as it warms up a bit i'll try to find the problem thanks

[Mopar1973Man]

Q: Was it steam smoke (smell like anti-freeze) or fire smoke (burnt plastic)?

[Wild and Free]

X2^^^^^^^^^ to Mikes question but if it was eletrical smoke the first thing to check is to see if it has the right amperage fuse in the circuit, fuses should pop waaaaaaay before you see any smoke.

[Mopar1973Man]

X2^^^^^^^^^ to Mikes question but if it was eletrical smoke the first thing to check is to see if it has the right amperage fuse in the circuit, fuses should pop waaaaaaay before you see any smoke.

Dodge has had a problem with wiring the blower motor circuit for years. Most of it from either weak connectors, blower motor bearing are partially seized, etc. Then a owner uses a high amp fuse to over come a constant popping fuse issue. Hence fire danger. Fire smoke will hang in the air for several minutes. But if its just a anti-freeze leak from a failed heat core it should smell sweet from the anti-freeaze and tend to fog the glass. Heat core steam will usually dissipate in a few seconds.

[flagmanruss]

As I'm reading this, we're talking about the windshield wipers, not heater/defroster. So the Original Post as I read it... freed the wipers. waited 5 minutes, tried wipers. Wipers had refroze to the glass, presumeably stalled. Smoke from the dash. If the motor stalled, it could overload the circuit... including the dash control or the intermittant wiper box. But the fuse should blow first if it's correct amp. It may be in the main panel under the hood. Or did I read this wrong?

[duesman]

it was definetly smoke i opened the windows after that i went to my auto parts store on the way home and bought some air freshioners right now i took it to my friend with a heated garage and he is going to look ar it tonight im going to call him to make the proper fuse is there thanks for the info also i was thinking maby a bad ground i'm no mechanic when i find out i'll be back

[Mopar1973Man]

Ok. So you go a for sure wiring problem. I would star pulling the dash apart looking for the damaged wiring and fix it properly. Also find out what circuit it is so you can find what loads are there and make sure the device isn't damaged.

[bigwhite]

i think i burned out the intermittent part of the wiper system but still have normal speed wipers.isthere a way of fixing this?with the wipers on long delayand i put on the high beams or right signal i get one swipe from the wipers.

[Wild and Free]

i think i burned out the intermittent part of the wiper system but still have normal speed wipers.isthere a way of fixing this?with the wipers on long delayand i put on the high beams or right signal i get one swipe from the wipers.

Sounds like your multifunction switch is bad.

[Mopar1973Man]

I would start there too.

[duesman]

Sounds like your multifunction switch is bad.

i'llcheck the multifunction switch i checked fuses under hood and in cab ok held wipers while on no smoke yesterday i had wipers on when i stopped them they stopped right in there tracks no return to cowl i have to turn off when at cowl

[bigwhite]

Sounds like your multifunction switch is bad.

where would i find the multifunction switch? i hope its not under the steering wheel.

[duesman]

where would i find the multifunction switch? i hope its not under the steering wheel.

i'm no mechanic but the book say's remove negitive terminals on batteries first (air bags won't go off accidently) while working it looks like its a component which includes your turn signal lever ps book say'syou need a tamper proof torx bit that secure the screws for holding multifunction switch to the steering column

[Wild and Free]

where would i find the multifunction switch? i hope its not under the steering wheel.

It is a complete assembly all the functions that are controlled by it are the turn signals headlight dimmer washer and wiper control and it bolts to the steering column behind the steering wheel, just need to pull the cowling off the column behind the wheel and there are 2 screws that clamp it to the column and one connector, takes about 10-15 minutes to change.

[bigwhite]

thank you for such a quick reply.sounds like i can handle it.next time ill just clear the snow off.

[duesman]

did you change the switch yet i'm going to test the pins of the multifunction switch with a multi meter according to the book shortly