Smoke from Steering Column - Help!

1998 VOLKSWAGEN POLO
87,000 MILES
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KAORIMANZ
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I have a VW Polo from 1998 and lately a little bit of smoke has been spontaneously coming out from the steering column just behind the steering wheel. Should I be worried? Have you seen or heard about anything like this before? would you reckon it's a minor electrical problem or? any advice is appreciated!

This has only happened three times, and each time I was in a different driving scenario, so I can't understand myself why this would be happening.

Please let me know if it's anything to worry about!

Many thanks,

Kaori.
Oct 24, 2013 at 12:42 AM
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EXOVCDS
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Remove the steering wheel and the switch assemblies.... then clean out the switches with compressed air. Dust & dirt causes the switches to short out, which causes the smoke.

Replace the switches if the circuitry is burnt too much.

Thomas
Oct 24, 2013 at 9:34 PM
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EXOVCDS
  • ✓ASE Certified Mechanic
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  • ASE Certified Mechanic
Once you let too much smoke out, things will no longer work and worst case, a fire could start due to melted wires.

Thomas
Oct 25, 2013 at 4:28 PM
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MHPAUTOS
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Any smoking is a bad sign, make sure that there is no damage, if in doubt replace the switch.
Oct 28, 2013 at 3:51 AM
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