Smoke from under SW and no start

I have a 1997 Saturn SC2, 140,000 miles. I have searched the forums for this problem and I have seen a few posts close to my problems but not exact and was hoping if anyone can help.

A couple weeks ago when I opened the door the ringing sound came on, the one that lets you know that you either left your lights or the keys in the ignition. Problem is that the keys were not in the ignition and the lights were off, so I just shut the door, noise stops, no big deal, I can live with that.

Tonight I get in the car, ringing starts as usual and stops when I close the door. I put the key in the ignition, cranks and starts just fine, runs for about 3 seconds then a cloud of smoke comes up from below the steering wheel. There was quit a bit of smoke so I could not tell if it was from under the steering wheel or around the foot pedels. I turned the car off when I saw the smoke, 3 seconds after start, and rolled down the windows to clear the smoke. After the smoke cleared I opened the door, still got the ringing, and tried to start the car, it cranks but does not start.

Normally when I turn the key the "Check Engine Soon" and Oil lights come on briefly, but they do not come on now. The ringing works, the interior lights work, the lights on the radio and heat/air work, but the radio does not work...although it does show the time. The headlights and taillights work, but the turnsignals do not work.

I looked under the steering wheel to see if I could find any burned wires that might be the problem but I did not see any, I did notice that the plastic panel under the steering wheel had a small amount of grease on it.

Thats all I got till I can look again in the morning, any insight would be greatly appreciated.

could you tell what the smoke smelled like? can you get other things to work that only do when the key is in the acc/on positions?

for smoke to fill that quick, its got to be something being fried electrically. things that come to mind are ignition switch, possibly pcm, or just some wires from an overload or grounding. i would go around and check every fuse and make sure someone hasnt replaced one with a higher amp one. then tear the steering column shroud off and inspect wires and ignition switch.

Thank you for replying saturnspeed_12, the smoke had an electical burning smell.

Nothing really works when the key is in the acc/on positions. The headlights, dome light, and chime work, but things that should work with the key turned, turn signals dash lights for check engine, oil, and seatbelt do not work. I have checked around the steering column and by the foot pedels and could not see any wires that appeared burned or otherwise damaged.

I think I am probably in over my head on this one and will have to have it towed to a mechanic here in a couple days. Good thing I only live a few blocks from work...but the grocery is alot further away!!!! :uhoh:

i beleave there is a black ground wire connected to the ignition switch which is the cause of 90% dash wiring problems, i can't remember where exactly

you may want to pull the steering column shroud off and examine the area of the ignition switch.

Well I took it to the mechanic an $ 200 later it's running. It was the ignition switch that had burned.

glad to hear its fixed. kind of figured it would be the ignition switch. those things go through alot and heat up pretty bad. but at least its not a ford because fords have a big problem with them, and have even caused cars to set fires because of them overheating.