I was sitting at a stop sign waiting on traffic to clear when I caught a whiff of the unmistakable smell of another wiring issue with my 88 xj. I looked down and smoke was pouring out from the steering column. I pulled off and looked around feeling for hot wires and found none so I poked around under the hood feeling for wires what were hot and didn't find any there either. Inside I checked to make sure my blinkers and lights and all the other electrical goodies worked and they do. The next morning I noticed that it was a little hard to start so I got out and pulled off a battery cable and it died instantly. So it started smoking form inside the steering column and now its not charging despite the new alternator? Anyone have this problem before and is there something I should look at or check first or do I just need to break out the steering wheel puller and tear the whole damn thing apart?

 

Or should I just give up on it and go back to my little toyota?

 

I'd take a good look at the ignition switch on top of the column.

 

Wouldn't be a bad idea to keep a CO2 extinguisher handy either.

 

I don't think it is a good idea on a modern vehicle to pull a battery cable while it is running.

Has something to do with spiking the computer or the alternator.

 

I think REnix is okay as it has an internally regulated regular old Delco alternator.

That said, the OP still needs to find out where the smoke is exiting his wiring.

 

^ cruiser is correct I work at a Chrysler dealer and I can tell you they don't recommend doing it, but on anything newer it'll have a good risk of frying the PCM

 

Agreed on picking up a small fire extinguisher. I carry one. Agreed on not disconnecting the battery with it running. I did it at least once when I was in some jam and needed to change batteries and it didn't toast anything on my Renix I'm aware of. Not recommended though.

I'd be taking a good look at the connector on the ignition switch. Known for melting down, and might be a yellow wire from there needs power to have the alternator work. It's on top of the column down under the dash.