Smoke under the dashboard

Sledge · #1 (**permalink**) 10-01-2006, 07:12 PM

Today, while driving back from an outing, we ran into some light rain. I used the wipers once or twice for one stroke, then turned them on and after 4 or 5 strokes the wipers quit. Naturally, with the blades in the most vision-blocking position. Then I noticed the volt meter at 0. It had been showing 14 to 14.5 volts depending on electrical load (single-wire Powermaster 100-amp alternator). I turned the wiper switch off. I stopped for gas, checked the wiper fuse, it was still good but I changed it with a new one anyway, and tried it again. Still no wiper motion, and no voltage indications. I removed the wipers to get them out of my direct view. and turned the wiper switch off.

The alternator appeared to be working still as the car would continue to run after turning off the battery switch. So, we continued homeward (we were about 60 miles out) when smoke started coming out from under the panel (back when I was flying airplanes for a living this wasn't considered a good sign). After cutting across three lanes of heavy freeway traffic I was able to get the car off the road and the electrics turned off. The smoke dissipated. I noticed the wiper switch was hot, so I disconnected the wiper switch at the connector. The switch itself is wrapped in tape, looks like it has been modified and has 5 wires coming out the back (I bought the car new from California Cobra and haven't touched this switch) going to the connector. No more smoke, but still no more volt meter indications.

Any ideas on how a wiper switch (or motor) could fail, generate smoke, and not open the fuse? Any way to check if my volt meter is busted or if there is a circuit problem somewhere?

Thanks for any and all help. I'll be on the road for the next few days and plan to call Reg or Frank when I get a chance.

Cheers

chuckmynatt · #2 (**permalink**) 10-02-2006, 09:32 AM

I had the same problem. Wipers quit then I smelled something burning and felt the wiper motor. Hotter than hell! Pulled the wiper fuse and that's the way it's been ever since.

Chuck

Sledge · #3 (**permalink**) 10-02-2006, 04:07 PM

I talked to Frank today. He said the problem is most likely that part of the wiring harness was probably clipped/strapped to the windshield wiper mechanism, which then promptly pulled out or broke wires for the wiper switch and/or volt meter when I turned on the wipers. He suggested taking out the speedometer and re-securing the wiring to structure other than the wiper mechanism. So I'll try that when I get back. Of course, I need a new switch. Hopefully not a new volt meter.

Cheers

Snakester · #4 (**permalink**) 10-02-2006, 07:39 PM

Hey Sledge, I have had BDR261 for a year now and would like to report that when I got my car last year, the wipers worked great....They just didn't touch the windshield....I worked on the complete wiper system, made all kinds of adjustments and now they do work great...With no top I hope I don't need them to much...Good Luck. Snakester

Sledge · #5 (**permalink**) 10-03-2006, 06:30 PM

I don't have a top either so I was lucky I guess, the rain wasn't hard enough to get us wet, just enough to get the car dirty and smear the windshield. Very unexpected!

Cheers

AC Cobra · #6 (**permalink**) 10-03-2006, 07:24 PM

When you are driving and it starts to rain, how fast do you have to go to prevent water getting in the passenger compartment?

BUCKEYE COBRA · #7 (**permalink**) 10-03-2006, 07:42 PM

I think water finds it's way in regardless of your speed.
I found out the hard way on the way back from the Mid Ohio Track event last year. What a down pour...I ended up with 1 inch of H2o in my car......
John

Sledge · #8 (**permalink**) 10-04-2006, 11:29 AM

We were doing 65-75 but the key was that it was a pretty light rain. Stops weren't any fun but the rest of the time was okay.

JBCOBRA · #9 (**permalink**) 10-04-2006, 02:32 PM

Rain X
I am pretty sure the wipers are just ornamental!?! LOL
JB

)

Dangerous Doug · #10 (**permalink**) 10-04-2006, 03:39 PM

Smoke under the dashboard? Man, I wouldn't let anyone smoke in my car, regardless where they sit.

...sorry, couldn't help myself.
DD

Sledge · #11 (**permalink**) 10-07-2006, 05:29 PM

DD:

I'm with you on that, when given a choice.

So I took out the speedo and got a look at the picture behind the dashboard. Several wires had snagged on and wrapped around the windshield wiper motor output arm, resulting in several broken wires and/or wires pulled out of their connectors. Further, the windshield wiper motor itself was heat-damaged internally (from the smoke smell and goo coming from the motor). Apparrently the wires wrapped the arm so tightly it could no longer move. Even with the wiper switch off it was trying to return to the stowed position.

I had this car "professionally" built, by a dealer who has since quit the business. I've spent a lot of the last two years fixing his mistakes, which have been many, and the incredibly poor workmanship, which continues to crop up. I pretty much expected the harness to avoid the wiper mechanism, but I guess that was too much to ask. In this case, three strokes (of the wipers) and you're out.

Aside from obtaining a new wiper motor, I've got everything fixed but the night lighting on the volt meter. I'll get to that tomorrow.

I'm too old, and have spent too much money, for this s__t. But at least it will get fixed right. To other Backdraft owners who haven't really used their wipers yet (more than a stroke or two), it may be worthwhile to take a look under the dash and make sure the wiper mechanism isn't going to snag anything.

Cheers

jp65cobra · #12 (**permalink**) 10-09-2006, 10:08 AM

Sledge

We had the same shop and it's unfortunate that he appeared to have lost interest in the last year. Most of the things I have had done over the last year were related to poor workmanship and cutting corners and had very little to do with BDR.

Sledge · #13 (**permalink**) 10-09-2006, 11:21 AM

jp:

I couldn't agree more. However, Frank at Backdraft knew immediately what the problem was, so it is possible that this particular issue is not confined to the one shop. Hence the "public service" recommendation to other BDR owners.

Sorry to hear you are experiencing the same general issues I am. I thought it was just me. Everyone else seemed to love the guy--heck, I did too until I found myself fixing things that should have been caught prior to delivery and shouldn't need to have been fixed in the first place. That plus being verbally assaulted when asking post-delivery questions about the problems I was encountering.

BDR on the otherhand has been very good throughout this experience.

madmaxx · #14 (**permalink**) 10-09-2006, 12:59 PM

Anything that came from VCM or Keith Craft of Plano is/was plagued with issues:
1) no oil dipsitck and jerry rigged oil pump pick up. Car would have been out of oil when a quart low!!!!!!
2) horrible exhaust leak between header and side pipe - someone actually tack welded it to prevent from rattling
3) Wire harness run poorly, conduit melted
4) emergency brake never adjusted.
5) wrong gear in transmission for speedohmeter
6)speedohmeter cable broke at 150 miles do to sharp bend the way cable was run.
7) Headlight dimmer switch failed
8) vacuum port on carburator plugged with a piece of tape which leaked
9) the use of all thread to hold the water pump on, looked like sheet
10) multiple wiring connector failures on MSD unit, you think they could have used the correct size butt connectors.
11) fuel gage never calibrated correctly
12) fuel pump would lose prime and no fuel filter installed
i can go on but why

jp65cobra · #15 (**permalink**) 10-09-2006, 02:28 PM

Sledge

Yup and that is why I will be under my dash having a look. Thanks for posting and keeping us informed.

BTW I do not think it was just us. I think maybe like me some are embarassed that they got somewhat taken.

John

ox_ford_guy · #16 (**permalink**) 10-13-2006, 09:19 AM

All--I guess, as with everything, "professionally assembled" is in the mind of the builder...We pay good money for a car, a house or anything else and should get to enjoy what you put out our hard earned cash for..Not fix others mistakes. One way or the other, it happens to all of us from time to time.

We will all iron out the problems and enjoy our the cars in the end. Good luck to all with their fixes.....ox_ford_guy

Sledge · #17 (**permalink**) 10-14-2006, 04:46 PM

I hadn't planned on it, but that's sure what I'm doing.

Thanks OFG

uncltodd · #18 (**permalink**) 10-17-2006, 11:40 AM

Madmaxx- I was caught in the middle of the catfight between Victory Classic Motors (since bellied up) and KeithCraft Motorsports (respected and still going strong) back in 2004 with BDR #139.

On your "flaw" list, I suffered from 2,4,5,6,11, and wipers.

It was a "lose-lose" situation for me, but I am a big boy and I quit whining and moved on.

I did "workarounds" on all the above, no way to truly fix where I live!

The wiper thing is kinda irksome, though. Never got caught in the rain until well after the (implied) warranty was up, it seems the linkage from the motor (left side) to the right wiper was never properly adjusted. Left one worked fine, right one just kinda flopped against the cowling. Much head-scratching and playing by several fairly knowledgeable friends later, I just took the right wiper blade off, threw it in the boot, and have avoided rain ever since.

UT