Truck was sitting at idle after having been running for maybe 10 min or less when I noticed a small stream of smoke rising from the steering colum. Much less than a cigarette would put out, but enough to be plainly visible.

I pulled off the steering wheel cover (part with the horn, cruise control buttons) and the smoke was coming from further behind the wheel.

Shut the ignition off and the smoke stopped. Started it again and haven't seen any more smoke.

Ignition seems to work, as well as turn signals. Hazard lights are a bit off, and don't blink at standard intervals, and the cruise control does not work--but has not worked for quite some time. Also, all fuses appear to be fine, and are the correct fuses for the correct circuits.

There is also an aftermarket alarm system with ignition interrupt. It was professionally installed several years ago, and still works as it should. I doubt this is the source of the problem, but it's another bit of info.

Truck is a 1993 F150 4x4 xlt package. 300 I6 with m5od and bw1356, a few miles shy of 200k if that matters.

Any ideas what would have caused this? Any ideas where to start looking for problems? I have a volt meter and can go poking around if anyone has the specs for all electrical components within the steering colum. My first instinct is the hazard switch or circuit, although I have not done any sort of electrical work on this truck, and have no clue about how to properly diagnose any electrical-related symptoms such as this. Any tips or points in the right direction would be greatly appreciated.

does your motor smoke? thats what i would say and it was smoking from letting it idle for that long and some of that smoke started to come through the column. if it was electrical i think youd have found out by now :laughing:

Engine doesn't smoke, and it smelled like electrical burns, not engine exhaust. It was definitely coming from within the steering colum.

Common problem. Its your multi function switch. THe one for wipers and the turn signal etc. I believe the smoke is coming from there.

Common problem. Its your multi function switch. THe one for wipers and the turn signal etc. I believe the smoke is coming from there.


If that's all it is, that's easy enough to replace. But what in that switch would cause this problem?

If that's all it is, that's easy enough to replace. But what in that switch would cause this problem?


something about shorts between some connectors as the mfs gets older.

YEP..it was a recall on the multifunction switch..

Get on it. I had to put out a steering column fire with Dr. Pepper due to that multifunction switch. No fun.

Get on it. I had to put out a steering column fire with Dr. Pepper due to that multifunction switch. No fun.


Yeah I was sitting in the drive-thru at Jack in the Box when I noticed it and my x-large dr. pepper almost got put to that use :laughing:


LMCtruck.com has them for $60. Jeff's Bronco Graveyard has them for $65.

Anyone know of a cheaper source? (not that $60 is expensive, but I'm a cheap bastard...)

yeah it was a ford problem for sure, my mustang did that every now and again when the left turn signal was put to use. Then the ignition caught fire after i replaced the switch..I think one way or another it was trying to burn down.

I think most parts places can get them. I beleive we got one from Franklin Auto Parts but I beleive Napa can get them too. Both are prob. close to broncograveyard... Ive heard of more doing this smoke... good luck...:D

...Then the ignition caught fire after i replaced the switch..I think one way or another it was trying to burn down.



That's very reassuring....