My 1993 940 Turbo has a starting issue. The car turns over and starts but the starter keeps going. There is also smoke coming from the center console when the key is turned on. From right under the gear shift stick. It is definitely electrical oriented, I can smell the wires burning.
Has anyone experienced this or have any ideas of what the problem may be?
Thanks.

You probably have relay rack problems. When the wires hooking in to the relay sockets overheat (for whatever reason), they can cause the socket to deform and the female spade connectors no longer are locked into the socket. Not a problem until you remove a relay and then replace it (it may even be a result of a replaced relay not being fully plugged in). One or more of the wires will make a poor connection, create more heat, etc. until the insulation and plastic melts and smokes. This happened to my '94 940 with the headlight relay being the culprit. You can pull the rack out of the console and look underneath for any questionable connectors. You can use some needle nose pliers to slip the wire connectors back onto the relay spades to make a good connection or you can see if the dealer has a socket replacement. I went the cheap route and it has operated without further incident for years. I just need to remember to pull the rack if I ever have to replace a relay again. Check it without further delay, you don't want an overheated wire causing a fire in there.
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Bob K

Thanks Bob- I'll look into it in the morning. I was having a fuel pump relay issue a few weeks back and pulled that relay out. I simply plugged it back in and the car has been starting fine since then. It sounds like the rack and connections could be the issue. I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks.
Matt

Okay - I pulled the relay rack out today and made sure everything was seated properly. There was no sign of any melted plastic, fried wires, or bad connections on the underside of the rack. The smoke was still coming from directly under the gear shift when I turned the key to the on position(without starting). By trial and error I found that removing fuse #22 stopped the smoking, and the car started fine. This circuit is for the r side parking lights, seat warmer indicator lights and a few other things. My question at this point is solving the dilemna of this short. It seems to be right under the gear shift. I've removed the 4 bolts that hold it in place. What else needs to be disconnected in order to remove the gear shift, and is there anything special I need to look out for when I remove and replce this component. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Matt