Q: Smoke coming from dashboard

asked by on February 22, 2016

Smoke is coming out of the dashboard on both the driver's and passenger's side.

Smoke from engine or exhaust Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

Hello. Smoke coming from the dash can come from a number of places. If the smoke is more like steam and it causing mist in the vehicle then it may be a leaking heater core. If the heater core is leaking hot coolant into the interior then this will occur. If there is a sweat smell then that is another indication of the problem. If it is more of a burning smell then you have an electrical short and melting wiring. This can come from any aftermarket equipment that was installed or I have seen the blower motor resistor on this car fail and cause this. The dash may need to come apart to locate the problem. If you need to have this looked at by a professional, consider YourMechanic, as a certified mechanic can come to your home or office to diagnose your smoke issue and advise you on a repair.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Gear shift stuck in park.
The most common cause is the gear shift selector mechanism plastic lock release in the center console falls apart. The fix is to replace the shift control mechanism under the center console. There may be some aftermarket repair parts available,...
Occasional shaking and sluggishness while accelerating
If your vehicle is shaking and losing power, the most likely cause is fuel or ignition system related. I would recommend having the fuel pressure checked by a qualified professional to determine whether or not the fuel pressure is within...
My suv wont start. It shows DSC malfunction and 4x4 problems.
The DME relay is a dual relay that powers the fuel system. This relay is typically located in the fuse box located inside of the ECU compartment. There will be several locations in the vehicle that will house fuses and...
I would like to collect brake pedal position information from my OBD2 port. Can this be done?
The brake pedal position does not have a specific wire to the OBD2 connector that can be monitored. You could however monitor the data stream and get the brake on or off PID in the data monitoring. The PID will...
Power lock will lock passenger door but won't unlock them
Hi there. There could be an issue with the power lock fob for your vehicle and may need replaced. If when you push on the unlock button and you don't hear anything, then the button on the power lock fob...
Low idle stalling out
This suggests that the low idle problem may be related to a faulty MAP sensor since the symptoms you describe point to the low idle issue when the engine is under a load when applying the brakes at idle. The...
Kangaroo hopping and missing beats when accelerating
Hi There, It sounds like you may have a dirty or failing idle air control valve causing your engine idle to fluctuate and eventually stall. The idle air control valve (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/idle-control-valve-replacement) is a small valve on the engine's intake system...
automatic transmission works fine in reverse, 1st, and 2nd, but revs the engine in 3rd 4th 5th only goes 30mph
You could have a defective vehicle speed sensor, transmission shift solenoids, transmission control module, valve body in transmission, throttle position sensor and/or the interconnecting wiring, fuses, and terminals (involving the electrical components) could have a defect. Another possibility is an...
how hard is it to change 2013 Chevy Captiva Sport Camshaft Position Sensor L4 2.4L
Hi there. Like any other mechanical repair, the definition of 'easy' is relative based on the level of experience you have, access to the correct tools and detailed instructions. If you're going to replace this component, I would highly recommend...

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander
The The smaller size and aggressive styling make the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander a great choice for those who want an SUV, but don’t want to deal with some of the large behemoths available. With numerous tech options and all-wheel drive...
A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
If If you’re looking for an SUV, but don’t need much space or off-road capabilities, the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport just might be the ticket. With it’s stand-out appearance that is sure to be noticed, it provides the features and...
How to Avoid Muffler Repair
Mufflers break when debris builds in the undercarriage, the muffler rubs against driving surfaces, or there is smoke emitting from the engine.