hey guys, my girls 2001 civic LX just starting having a little smoke come from the steering wheel when ever she turns her lights on? usually takes about 5 mins. after she turns them on and a little puff of smoke comes up and then again every so often. Any ideas of what it is and solution to fix?

 

Smoke = not good, get it checked out pronto before the car catches fire

 

haha, well yeah, i know smoke = not good, but was hoping someone has had this issue b4 and maybe a easy fix versus spending hundreds to have it looked @ only to find out its a simply fuse or something simply that I could have easily done myself.

 

fuse i doubt it sounds like a bad head light switch to me

 

oooo, now we are getting somewhere. in the past 6 months, I've had to replace the low beam bulbs cause they have burned out, which is unusual! a bad head light switch....is that something simple, or more in depth where a mechanic would have to do....and please don't say Honda dealership as that's just more money cause of it being the dealership

if it is a bad head light switch, is that something real serious that she shouldn't drive the car @ all till its fixed or something that could wait.....it just started to smoke this past week?

thanks for your help so far!

 

depends..does it ONLY smoke when the headlights are on? if thats the case it SHOULD be safe to drive with the lights off. However, if it smokes no matter what, keep it parked till you can fix it. As far as the headlight switch, as far as I know it should be a fairly easy swap, open up the steerin column, unbolt the old one and undo the harness. Reverse to install (havn't done one on a Honda but done afew on fords/chevs/toyotas...)

 

if your not to mechanical, I would have some do it cause of the airbag, its a easy job, but you dont wanna loose your head over it.....

 

Or maybe some wires got stripped and touch each other every once in a while?

 

A reason for smoke around wiring would be that there is too much elctricity running through a wire, contact, switch, or relay. To much electricity equals to much current equals spark equals fire. Have you changed anything at all lately? You say that it releases a puff of smoke every now and then? Pay attention to what you are doing when that happens. Did you turn a particular electrical system on? This will give you a good starting point. Next, just pull of your covers to your steering column and see if you can see any burn marks. Also, electrical burns or smoking give a very distinct and nasty odor like burnt tires.

 

I am pretty sure there was a recall for that... check it out i know mine a 2001 ex had this fixed.
This is the recall information from mine.

Spring 2004



Safety Recall Campaign: Headlight Switch

Dear Honda Owner:


This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
What is the reason for this notice?
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has decided that a defect relating to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 2001-02 Civics and 2000-01 Insights. A terminal in the headlight wire harness can overheat and may cause the low-beams to fail without warning. Although the high-beam position remains operational, an unexpected loss of low beams could result in a crash.
What should you do?
Call any authorized Honda dealer and make an appointment to have your vehicle repaired. The dealer will inspect the headlight switch and replace all needed parts. This work will be done free of charge. Please plan to leave your vehicle for half a day to allow the dealer flexibility in scheduling.
Who to contact if you experience problems.
If you are not satisfied with the service you receive from your Honda dealer, you may write to:

American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Honda Automobile Customer Service
Mail Stop 500-2N-7A
1919 Torrance Blvd.
Torrance, CA 90501-2746

If you believe that American Honda or the dealer has failed or is unable to remedy the defect in your vehicle, without charge, within a reasonable period of time (60 days from the date you first contact the dealer for a repair appointment), you may submit a complaint to:

Administrator
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
400 Seventh Street, SW
Washington, DC 20590

Or call the toll-free Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.

What to do if you feel this notice is in error.
Our records show that you are the current owner or lessee of a 2001-02 Civic or 2000-01 Insight involved in this campaign. If this is not the case, or the name/address information is not correct, please fill out and return the enclosed, postage-paid Information Change Card. We will then update our records.
If you already paid to have a defective headlight switch replaced, you may be eligible for reimbursement. Refer to the attached instructions for eligibility requirements and the reimbursement procedure.
Lessor Information.
Federal law requires that any vehicle lessor receiving this recall notice must forward a copy of this notice to the lessee within 10 days.
If you have questions.
If you have any questions about this notice, or need assistance with contacting a Honda dealer, please call Honda Automobile Customer Service at (800) 999-1009, and select menu option #2.
We apologize for any inconvenience this campaign may cause you.
Sincerely,
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Honda Automobile Division