Cadillac Repair: Cluster climate control panel, turn signal switch, windshield wiper switch

Question
Bill, Hi I was driving I had on my ac.. and on my messages center displayed a/c off refrigant low.. A few minutes later on the climate control panel it read econ and would not get off econ when the fan was running.. When I turned off the fan then econ didn't display. But when I turned on the ac again, econ showed up on the panel. Then smoke came from the steering wheel, It smelled like a electrical burn out.. I then stop the car...What could it be ...Please help me  Lisa

Answer
Hi Lisa, Cadillac has built in a safety in the a/c system and when the freon gets too low it disengages the compressor, turns the system to economy and stores a trouble code so the compressor doesn't get damaged. You may have a freon leak, at the evaporator core maybe, or a malfunctioning sensor. You will need to take it in for testing of the pressures and leak checking. As for the smoke...What happens is there is grease on the turn signal switch contacts and grease on the windshield wiper switch contacts and because electricity  flows through the switch when the contacts are alittle loose is when it can smoke. There is usually no concern for fires but it might be a good idea to have the switch replaced. If you pushed your foot on the brake pedal and then saw smoke the turn signal switch is the culpret. Hope that helps. Bill