smoke was coming from the steering column, my car died after a short idle on toll Options

[DeW_H0e_GT]

could it be the ignition switch?

i was driving all day today n when i stopped to pay the toll i shifted in "N".....and gave my toll charge.....tehn after i giev it gas to go...it started to die on me...teh radio shut off, everything jus went blank..and i see small smokes coming from where the steering column is.....i thought it was jus the ign fuse n the other fuses i wired to my guages n neons.....but all the fuses were fine....no broken diodes.....i even replaced them jus to make sure.....so i tried starting teh car but to no conclusion.....i even tried takin teh battery to test it out but it turned out GOOD.....i put teh battery back on the car...try starting again.....n nuttin happens....the cluster doesnt have ANY lighting at all......but teh courtesy lights, keyring lght, door locks work....but my power windows, radio, clock...all of those stuff which i think is linked to the ignition isnt working......plz help!!!!!

BTW, u guys know if other toyotas ignition switch will fit on our 6gc gt n st? preferably 5g? any1 kno the part numbers to both the lock cylinder w/key and the switch?

This post has been edited by DeW_H0e_GT: Mar 14, 2007 - 8:48 PM

[DeW_H0e_GT]

bump...any1????

[DeW_H0e_GT]

UPDATE: found out i had a bad fuse labled "AM1"....i replaced it but with somethin found at advance auto parts not the exact part but it plugs in......now my power is on...CLOCK, RADIO, POWER WINDOWS all work now..jus that i cant crank it.....it only shows the "battery" n the "check engine" lights...ill try to switch out the ignition switch i found at a junkyard.....

i traced thru my wires and didnt find any signs of burnt wires except for the wires for teh gauges that was fried..but i took em all out already.....

help?????

PS - thanks malpaso for providing the part numbers for the igntiion switch, lock, n cylinder

[pure_dx]

wow, how random! toyota with electronics problems? how rare! usually its the V dubb guys with that problem. Glad ya fixed her up.

[DeW_H0e_GT]

update:

the toyota guy got it fixed today....it was jus a faulty wire that teh alarm installer did...that was wired to my ign switch.....i crapped out n went to a "mexican" shop......he also chanegd teh pos terminal on the battery....