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View Full Version : NEWBIE Smoke From Gearbox??? HELP!!


TheBrain
07-31-2006, 05:10 AM
Hi guys, On saturday I picked up my fourth e34, a silver 535, superchipped, koni shocks all round, uprated cams etc etc, drives like a dream.. BUT
This morning i get in te car, turn the electrics on while I plug my cd player in and a smell a burning smell... a small wisp of smoke comes up from under the gear stick (auto). So I turn everything off, and a few mins later turn it on again and it doesnt do it. Ive driven about 5 miles since, and its not reoccured, but wanted any ideas on it - as I dont want a fire!!

see pics of car below

http://img506.imageshack.us/img506/9758/bm1db9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img333.imageshack.us/img333/3558/bm2mr9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Ausmpower
07-31-2006, 05:24 AM
Dust??
TheBrain
07-31-2006, 05:30 AM
Dust??
How would dust cause it?
GoldenOne
07-31-2006, 05:33 AM
dust + electrical source = smoke???
Ausmpower
07-31-2006, 05:34 AM
Yep!
TheBrain
07-31-2006, 05:42 AM
Yep!
ok - it does make sense i suppose, espcially as before I bought the car it hadnt really been used much for a while.... not think i should worry too much about it then unless it re-occurs?
GoldenOne
07-31-2006, 06:14 AM
well, prevention is the best cure...i would just have a look under there to make sure nothing was damaged too bad (i.e. exposed wires), maybe vacuum a bit too. Electrical fires are the worst, dont want any of those...
DaveVoorhis
07-31-2006, 08:42 AM
Your gear position switch has become dirty, which is causing relatively high resistance at the contacts which allow it to only start in park and neutral. These are now heating up and melting the plastic on the contact board in the switch. You can try disassembling the switch and cleaning the contacts (and possibly filing down some melted plastic), but you're probably better off replacing the switch.
Omega
07-31-2006, 08:56 AM
Have you got the optional Lucas wiring harness fitted?... :)

Lift the shifter surround and have a good look and clean up. I'd tend to agree with Dave's prognosis, especially if the car has been standing for a while.
SnakeyesTx
07-31-2006, 12:07 PM
The hardest part will be getting the smoke back in! :D

Sounds like a dirty contact somewhere... check to see if there's a lot of crud and spilled coke down there under the shifter.
Omega
08-01-2006, 03:25 PM
The hardest part will be getting the smoke back in! :D

Apparently you can buy bottled Lucas smoke on ebay :D