97 SL Electrical Problems

A couple of days ago I noticed a funny burning smell inside my car. Yesterday took it to the dealer for a check up. As per the tec some problems needed immediate repairs which I agreed upon. After hours of awaiting (and a fat bill!) my car was finally given to me. Once I started it, it felt so quiet! I just started to smile when suddenly Puffff! smoke were coming from ignition and dashboard crevices!! I ran inside the service area and notified the tecs. They came out and put the smoke out. My car is still at the dealer as they "needed to find out what has happened as they did NOT touch that area during repairs". Well once I arrived home (in a loaner they gave me) and read the repairs statement, I noticed that they had "replaced 2/3 electronic ignition module coil".

My question is: Does anyone out there thinks that this smoke/almost fire situation might be caused by the repairs mentioned above? Please let me know as I should go to pick up my car today and afraid of new charges for "electronic repairs".

Thanks

the coil itself is not in the dash, it is under the hood, there is a wire that connects the coil/ignition module to the ECM that runs under the dash. i would guess the wire short to ground and blew. hopefully without damaging any other nearby wires. i don't know if a bad coil itself would blow the wire but a short would no doubt. what were all the repairs they did?

there is also a small ground wire connected to the ignition switch in the steering column that for some reason like to blow for no reason and is the most common cause of the magic smoke to come out of the dash.

sierrap615 - Thanks so much for your advise, it sounds more logical to me than the explanation the dealer's tecs gave me. Well.. they repaired my car and only charged me for "parts". Supposedly the "ignition switch" blew up and needed to be replaced. But again, you described my car's problem just exactly the way it happened. I can tell you know your stuff. Thanks and...
Keep up with the excellent work!!!!! :) :)