Thread: my dash was smoking!!!!

My battery was draining all the time I jumped it and my dash started smoking now my radio won't work or my windows.......I took the whole dash apart but now I don't know where to start.... its a 99 f150 please help me out

Alright, start with the fuses. There's probably a few blown. Also you might have a short which caused the battery to die a lot. Also it sounds like a bad regulator since you said things were smoking, sounds like a surge/overload of power from the alternator. Go get your electrical system (wires, fuses, alternator, and regulator) tested to try and find the problem.

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Also, when you jumped it, you disconnected the jumper cables right after you got it started correct?

I disconnect it right after it happend it never started I turned it over then it happened. I replaced all the fuses that were blown early today and still nothing....

Alright, you probably have a short in a main wire somewhere. It likely caused a surge which messed up all your electronic stuff. Get the electric system tested by a certified mechanic or specialist. They should be able to find or narrow down the problem.

Ok thanks

No problem, I wish I could help more, but you need a specialist for this problem.

Originally Posted by Raptor05121

If the voltage regulator on your alternator failed, there would be more/different problems than what sounds to me like a simple short. The smoking obviously came from too much heat, and in electronics, too much heat means too much resistance which is either a short (power to ground) or a thin wire/cold solder joint. Either way, it definitely isn't factory, and the fact that you changed your fuses says that exactly. Also, if your fuses have been changed but still no power, you now know what to look for: a broken/burnt wire. I'm assuming you have an aftermarket HU? Pull that sucker out and start tracing wires. If there is anything else you've added/tinkered with, that is also suspect. Clean and regroup your wires properly. Solder, shrink wrap, and then electrical tape all connections, and be sure to use the correct AWG for the amperage and length of voltage capacity.

Class is in session...lol, here is the expertise that you need.