Smoke Coming From Bottom Of The Inside Of Windscreen

[Atari Boy 11]

Background

208k standard '88 1.6. Owned by me for 2/3 years yet to driven on the road although rebuilt head and fully serviced 18 months ago and passed its MOT. Prior to my ownership sat doing nothing for 5 years. Garaged for all of my ownership and most of pervious 5 years.

The car starts and drives.

 

Problem

I moved it today into another barn, traveled 50 yards, only in first and reverse, sat running for 20 mins in total, fan kicked in (may need new rad) a couple of times.

The heater fan does not work, I assume the resistor needs replacing which I have on my list.

The problem is small amounts of smoke wafted out at the bottom of the inside of windscreen in the latter part of the time it was running, no real smell, coming and going.

 

Any ideas what is causing it?

 

Thanks, Jonny

[Slo 283 1 Cars]

Heater matrix is my guess has it got a radio installed? Pull it out and see if its wet or any signs of corrosion on the back

[Atari Boy 11]

Good point, yes, it's got a radio fitted.

[Dickie 4]

Could be a shorted out wire. My GTI did this to me the other day, two wires had rubbed off all of the insulation and shorted. Smoke came out from the steering cowling and where the dash meets the windscreen. Check all the fuses!

[Simes 248 2 Cars]

Smoke or steam?

[Cameron 16]

Hmm.. heater not working and smoke soming from under the dash.. that sounds awfully familiar!

 

I had this exact same thing happen, it turned out my heater blower had ceased and was being sent a small current due to the knob not quite being in the off position. After about 5-10 mins smoke came out of the dash due to the coils in the motor overheating.

 

It's 3 screws to take your blower motor out, so have a look and see if the coils are blackened from overheating; they're covered in a plasticy coating and this is what caused the smoke for me.

[d7ve_b 44 1 Cars]

Heater matrix is my bet (assuming it's actually steam).