The car is an '84 Eagle sw, L6, auto, which we've had for about 6 years.
After sitting on the driveway for most of the summer, the last two times I drove it (50 miles, RT) on the freeway at 70+mph, I noticed an unusual heat coming from under the dashboard. I found that the steering column is getting very warm... even the ignition key is hot.
I opened the hood and it seemed hot, but not intense. The temp gauge is working and shows normal.
Any ideas on what it could be that's causing this?
Thanks,
Kevin
I sure am no expert on this but you have a potentially dangerous situation. The last thing you need is a fire under that dashboard @ 70 mph. I would get on my back with a trouble light & start the engine from cold & check that under dash area until I found that heat source. You could have some type of wiring short which could lead to a serious fire.
Sounds like the ground from the body to the motor is missing and it's feeding back through the steering
Quote from: carnuck on October 15, 2013, 12:40:56 PM
Sounds like the ground from the body to the motor is missing and it's feeding back through the steering.
Whereabouts do I look for this ground? Is there an exploded diagram someplace?
The body ground is located on the firewall (in engine compartment) about where the driver sits. This is a weak point in the electrical system and should be beefed up with a heavier wire.
I added a new wire from the battery negative to the body to cure that in my Eagle.
Corrosion at the plug for the ignition switch can cause this as well.
I hope mine comes with a heated steering wheel. :P