Ign. switch? wire shorted? or other?

[scb]

97 achieva, 2.4 liter auto. My daughter started the car to warm it up, went out 10 min later and found car not running, won't turn over, no heater/radio/windows/turn signals, etc. with a strong "burned electrical" smell from steering column and lower dash area. Now, when I turn the key to the "on" position, the warning lights and gauges on the dash come on, but none of the accessories that would normally work with the switch in the "on" or "acc" positions will work.

By the way, is it normal to get the "burned electrical smell" if the switch went bad? or only with wiring problems?

I removed the two wiring plugs on the left side of the steering column to test for power, shorts, etc. (the electrical diagrams in my HAYNES manual are almost useless, as usual). The UPPER plug has two RED wires which are hot at all times, a small GREEN wire that goes to the beeper, a BROWN wire that reads no voltage, is not a direct ground, but reads high resistance (reading through switch or coils?). With both of these plugs still unplugged, I jumped power from one of the red/hot on the UPPER plug to the wires on the LOWER plug. Results when jumping power to these wires: WHITE wire gives me the gauges and warning lights on the dash., ORANGE wire gives me heater control, PINK wire gives me turn signals, auto locks, etc. There is also a BEIGE (or very light yellow) wire and two small BLACK wires on this LOWER plug, all of which are not a direct ground but read high resistance. I did not find any combo that would give me windows, radio, or crank/start.

I'm was wondering if maybe the BROWN wire on the upper plug is supposed to be hot to power the accessories when the key is "on". I tried cutting the brown wire a few inches from the plug, fed power to the plug end of it, to see if I got power out the orange or pink wires on the bottom plug - nothing changed.

One last note, after the initial problem occurred, the key was removed and would stop about 1/2" short of going all the way into the ignition cylinder. I, in my ignorance forced it in and it does work now enough to turn the cylinder. I'm wondering if the initial problem tripped some kind of security device that wouldn't let the key go in!!!? Any help greatly appreciated. Anybody have a Chiltons or Motor manual on this car with a better wiring diagram? or maybe just someone a whole lot smarter than me?

[Snicker147]

I had a similar problem with my '94 Achieva. I tried to start the car, the engine wouldn't even turn over though. Then the steering column began to smoke. Turns out there was a recall on the Achievas due to the starter switch sticking and causing fires. If that is the problem, you can take it to the dealership and have it fixed for free.

[95OldsHO]

The previous owner of my 95 Achieva told me he experianced a similar issue.. he told me that he had seen smoke from the steering column and switched the ignition off quickly, and after that the car would not start, by chance he depressed the clutch in and when the clutch start switch circuit closed the car started right up. I know that part of his fix included a new ignition switch, not sure what else was replaced at that time though.

[scb]

Update: replaced the ign. switch ($50.00) - problem fixed!