!!! Smoke !!! from the steering column!

[gjm123]

My wife's early (1992) Mk3 Golf 1.8CL Automatic has a very unnerving problem - smoke sometimes appears from around the steering column!!! It comes from between the steering wheel and the fascia and only seems to occur once the engine is started and before any of the control stalks are operated; it may happen when the key is turned to position three without starting the engine but I can't confirm this. It happens when initially starting the engine, or while driving.

I've removed the column fascia, the steering wheel, and the control stalk assemblies. There's no sign of any deterioration to the insulation on any wires or burning to any of the plastic surfaces. There was some accumulated dust on the greased surfaces and I've cleaned this off. I've sniffed the components and don't think they've been burning or smouldering but the neighbour's barbecue wouldn't have helped much...

Reassembled and without any fascia parts or the steering wheel in place started the engine. There was the tiniest wisp of smoke from under the column - between the metal column and the plastic control stalk assembly - but subsequent disassembly revealed nothing - again. I've not seen any smoke when starting the engine without the stalk assembly in place.

Has anyone heard of this happening before? Or have some insight? Its obviously very worrying!

[baldmosher]

What does it smell like?

(I realise that you will have to use illustrative adjectives like Oz Clarke to answer this question.)

The smell of dust burning is very different from electrical sparking (which creates strong metallic-smelling ozone), or plastic, or a turd covered in burnt hair, for example.

[keith Gilmour]

Chaps.

I've got an old 1997 Golf GTI (8v) which has also recently picked up the smokey steering column with very similar symptoms.

If I was Oz Clark I would say I'm getting light fluffy tones of plastic.

It statred off as the odd whispy release of smoke but it is getting worse and more frequent.

Like GJM123 I fiind this quite a worry. (Perhaps it's time to trade it in but with only 60K miles on the clock its not as easy a decision).

Many thanks if anyone can help.

[baldmosher]

I should make clear that I'm no electrician, nor a mechanic, but I have a chemistry degree, so smells are my thing.

Assuming no sign of any wire sheaths melting together or burning (charred sheath or wire ends), and assuming it's only happening when about to or while starting the car, it could be the glue from an overheating ignition coil?

From CJM's description it sounds like the stalk assembly is faulty, I assume it's a sealed unit and therefore cheap & easy to replace?

[keith Gilmour]

Cheers for the promt reply mate and the help.

Just been looking at another VW forum and they note examples of indicator and or headlight switch problems which can be picked up from scrap yeards and easily fitted.

However they also cover ignition issues which is apparently an expensive fix .

I'll let you all know the outcome and what is cost me as it really needs fixed before something worse happens.

[gjm123]

I checked the wiring to all connectors all of which have several wires to them. There are two connectors per stalk on each side (4 connectors in total), and 1 (I think, from memory) to the underside of the ignition barrel. No sign of any shrinkage, damage or removal to the insulation.

The stalk assembly comes in two parts that fit together and are placed over the column - I'll take some pics over the weekend if it doesn't rain too much (I'm away from home at present).

The only significant thing I did find is that the 'brush' contact for the horn was filthy - lots of accumulated gunk. I've cleaned this.

There was also a small amount of local smoke-brown discoloration on the left side of the metal column that was only visible once the stalk controls were removed. This was easily removed and I'd describe it as being like some sort of lacquer - it was not a powdery or sticky residue. I thought this may have been the result of some plastic burning but the adjacent plastics show no sign of this.

Incidentally, the smoke we're seeing is white.

Mrs GJM is (obviously!) keeping a close eye on things...

[baldmosher]

Black (or grey) smoke = carbon particles

Chances are your white smoke is actually grey, since most readily-combustible materials in cars (plastic, hair, dust, etc.) are carbon-based. Not always though. Haynes manuals warn you about HF (hydrofluoric acid) found in the residue from some burnt plastics. Very nasty stuff indeed.

Smoke is simply large vapour particles appearing in high enough concentrations to be visible. You'll smell the smaller particles in smoke before you see the larger ones and they're all harmful to your mucous membranes. So probably best to try your troubleshooting with the doors open to minimise any risk

(*this warning is completely meaningless if you smoke cigarettes)

[hqp]

The same happened on my 1.4 golf. It was a burnt out contact on the washer/wiper switch assembly. Wipers wouldn't work on normal but Ok on intermittent. It is now replaced. no further wisps of smoke from behind the steering wheel

[wacovi]

yeap same thing happened to me with my mk3 8v GTI it was a rainny day so as i had gone to put my front wipers on smoke came out so i quickly switched to a faster speed. i have not experienced it again its been 5wks now. i'm convienced it's something to do with my wiper switch. when less busy i will strip it and have a look around the steering wheel area..

[sixpot]

I had this happen on my 1996 vr6 , removed the switch gear from the steering column and found that the plastic between the contacts on the wiper switch had started to disintegrate ,being a Sunday evening had to do a quick fix so put some plastic padding in between the contacts that was about 5 years ago,still going strong to this day.