Need help!!! Car wont start.. Ignition problem

[CalPolyKing]

So I go to start my car today and when I turn the key no go. It doesnt even crank. I try it over and over, and a couple times I here the car crank but then no go. After about 10 tries absolutely nothing, and to top it off my radio doesnt even turn on now. Also, a bit of smoke came out the under the steering column. Anyone might know what happen would really appreciate it.

FYI: The last time I drove it I had to turn the key twice to get it started.

Car: 1989 240sx coupe
Engine: ka24e
Problem: ???

Any ideas would be appreciated

[Sleepy240]

Sounds to me like you have serious electrical issues...

The radio not working probably has something to do with your wiring, i'm assuming its an aftermarket unit. The car not cranking at all to begin with would lead me to believe that your battery is probably low and/or dead which would also explain the radio. The smoking under the steering column sounds like a short somewhere in your wiring. I would drop the cover off the column and take a peak around.

[slider2828]

What you think smoke out of the steering columns mean? Fried wires.....

[windshieldwiper]

ignition switch or you have an alarm etc badly wired; follow the smoke

[DDDsquad_s13panda]

well obviously after tryin to turn over a car will kill the battery. and the smoke cmin from under the steering column might be fried wires OR fired fuse. i had the same problem with mine. but the smoking was under my hood and it ended up being the RET MTR and EGN CTL, retract motor and engine control. i still have not yet figured mine out. i got the starter rebuild, new dizzy cap and rotor. havent check fuel pump or ign switch.