Recently, while driving my 1968 Camaro RS/SS, the radio was fading in and out. More so "out" when I would hit the gas.
I noticed nothing wrong on any of the gauges as I drove, but while driving I heard a loud "pop" that sounded like a flat time, so I started coasting to the side of the road.
A few seconds later, smoke started coming out from the hood (front right corner, near the batter), as well as from under the dashboard on the passenger side of the vehicle. The voltage gauge mounted to the dash became red, and poofed into a little flame and melted.
At this point I was on the shoulder, turned the car off, and seemingly avoided further catastrophe.
The cable that rain from the battery to the voltage regular was thoroughly melted through and basically crumbled a part.
I've never had an issue like this in the nearly 2 decades I've had the car, and am unsure what it could be.
About 6 months ago I replaced the voltage regulator with one from Rick's Camaro's, as I was having an issue where the car was running and driving fine, then I would turn it off, only to try and restart it a few minutes later and not get anything from it. At first I thought it was the battery, so I replaced that, to no avail. The voltage regulator being replaced seemed to fix that.
I am not electrically/mechanically knowledgeable enough to know if this caused that problem, is related, or has nothing to do with it.
When I reconnect the cable running from the battery to the ampmeter/voltage gauge, smoke starts coming out from the cable, gauge panel, and underneath the passenger dash again. The vehicle will not start.
I don't know if this is an issue with the voltage regulator, gauge set, starter, alternator, or what...
If anyone could help - or recommend a mechanic in the area - I would be greatly appreciative! The car is currently located in Hudson County, NJ.
I noticed nothing wrong on any of the gauges as I drove, but while driving I heard a loud "pop" that sounded like a flat time, so I started coasting to the side of the road.
A few seconds later, smoke started coming out from the hood (front right corner, near the batter), as well as from under the dashboard on the passenger side of the vehicle. The voltage gauge mounted to the dash became red, and poofed into a little flame and melted.
At this point I was on the shoulder, turned the car off, and seemingly avoided further catastrophe.
The cable that rain from the battery to the voltage regular was thoroughly melted through and basically crumbled a part.
I've never had an issue like this in the nearly 2 decades I've had the car, and am unsure what it could be.
About 6 months ago I replaced the voltage regulator with one from Rick's Camaro's, as I was having an issue where the car was running and driving fine, then I would turn it off, only to try and restart it a few minutes later and not get anything from it. At first I thought it was the battery, so I replaced that, to no avail. The voltage regulator being replaced seemed to fix that.
I am not electrically/mechanically knowledgeable enough to know if this caused that problem, is related, or has nothing to do with it.
When I reconnect the cable running from the battery to the ampmeter/voltage gauge, smoke starts coming out from the cable, gauge panel, and underneath the passenger dash again. The vehicle will not start.
I don't know if this is an issue with the voltage regulator, gauge set, starter, alternator, or what...
If anyone could help - or recommend a mechanic in the area - I would be greatly appreciative! The car is currently located in Hudson County, NJ.
