* Electrical Short: The most likely culprit. A short circuit in the wiring harness under the dash can generate significant heat, causing the plastic components to smolder and produce smoke. This wouldn't necessarily cause a fire immediately, but the smell and smoke would be apparent.
* Overheating Resistor: The blower motor resistor, which controls fan speed, is located inside the dash and can overheat and burn if faulty. This is a common cause of dashboard smoke.
* Failing HVAC Component: A component within the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system, like a failing blower motor, could overheat and generate smoke. Again, this would be contained within the dash.
* Previous Fire/Smoldering: A small fire or smoldering event might have extinguished itself, leaving only the lingering smell and smoke residue within the confined space of the dash.
Why not visible under the hood: The heat and smoke would be channeled through the ventilation system, which is why you'd only see it emanating from the vents.
What to do:
* Do NOT drive the car. This is a serious situation, even if the smoke has stopped. Driving could exacerbate the problem and potentially lead to a fire.
* Have the car professionally inspected by a qualified mechanic. They can diagnose the exact cause and safely repair the issue. Ignoring this could result in a significant electrical fire.
* Be cautious of potential residual heat: The dash components might still be hot even if the smoking has stopped.
Do not attempt to diagnose or repair this yourself unless you are a qualified auto electrician. The risk of fire and electrical shock is substantial.
