Ignition switch smoke

D. · Post by D. » Fri Sep 03, 2010 10:42 am

I am working on a 78 Euro. After prolonged attempts to start a flooded engine, smoke poured out the ignition switch. Has anyone had smoke from the switch? What caused it?

Would a different computer box have caused this? I had tried switching computer boxes on this car to test whether the box was causing the flooding problem.

D.

Mike W. · Post by **Mike W.** » Fri Sep 03, 2010 12:15 pm

Never let the smoke out of wiring, I've seen replacement smoke for English cars, but never German.

On a more serious note, no, a different ECU would not overload your ignition switch. Either the switch is on it's last legs or there is a short somewhere causing excessive current draw. I've cranked BMWs for a long time without switch damage so I don't think that would be the problem.

To clear flooding in an injected engine, unplug the ECU, with the ignition off, and try to start it. You will still have spark, but no more fuel will be injected. It should fire briefly, burn off what fuel is in there, then die. Then plug the ECU back in and you should be good to go.

T.Hanson · Post by **T.Hanson** » Fri Sep 03, 2010 3:27 pm

Just for denseness, is there a way to unplug the ECU without the major glove box spelunking expedition ?

Blaise · Post by **Blaise** » Fri Sep 03, 2010 4:11 pm

My ECU plug is right in front of me when I open the glove box. Easy to unplug.

D. · Post by D. » Fri Sep 03, 2010 11:55 pm

Thanks for the advice. Couldn't I just take the fuel pump fuse out and spin the engine instead of unplugging the ECU?

Bob in San Jose · Post by **Bob in San Jose** » Sat Sep 04, 2010 4:28 am

Yes, just pull fuse #1 and the fuel pump will be disabled.
No need to go in the glove box.
Bob