Okay, so we need some help.
My mom has this 2000 Ford Explorer, it was bought used and it is the only vehicle we have.
I drive it often (mom sends me to the store, etc).
A few days ago, I went to Walmart. It was fine on the way there. When me and my little sister were about to drive back home, I turned it on, put on the blinkers so I could turn out of the parking space, and I noticed white smoke.

The smoke was drifting out of the left side of the steering wheel (from where the lever is where you turn the blinkers on, etc)
It also seemed like it was coming out from the top of the wheel as well. I got a hold of triple A, and the guy couldn't figure out what was wrong, he said he never saw anything like it.

It happened again today, on my way to the store, more smoke appeared, more than last time. It doesn't have a smell.

Does anyone know what this is? It seems to happen whenever I first turn on the blinkers. After that it quits smoking for a while, but then starts appearing again at random.

If anyone knows what this is, any info is greatly appreciated. It's our only vehicle, and we cannot afford to buy a brand spanking new one.

 

We don't know this for sure, but would suspect a partial short circuit involving the signal light circuit(blinkers). Fuses are supposed to prevent short circuit paths from doing damage, but if the fault is not a complete short circuit with enough current drain to cause the fuse to "blow" a wire can get hot enough to smoke. There is possibly a wire contacting something intermittently , most likely involving the tilt wheel movement of the steering wheel. Suggest that you have it checked out ASAP before it either blows the fuse and no signal lights, or where there is smoke , you know the rest.

 

Heck, you could be right. And sure thing, we're having it towed over to my grandpas house today. Hopefully he can fix that.

 

Welcome aboard..

The odd part is, No smell..

Generally you'll smell 'electrical' be it plastic, vinyl insulation wiring burn etc. And that it was exiting the wheel well area unless it advanced to a harness root failure.

Did AAA lift the hood and inspect? Check fluids? (Possibly venting into the cabin)

 

The first time it happened, it smelled a little bit like a fire, but I wasn't sure if it was my mind playing tricks or not. The other times, it had no smell.
Turns out the radiator was busted, and that's what was causing it...at least that's what grandpa said. It's getting all fixed up luckily, so hopefully once we get it back it'll be all good. New radiator, oil change, new breaks and new tires. About time. XD

AAA Did not check under the hood, the guy sat in the truck and followed the steps I did to see if it would start smoking. When he tried, it did not smoke, so I ended up driving it home that day.

 

Thanks for the update..