Smoke from behind the steering wheel

[D-Dub]

Earlier on today on two occasions smoke appeared from behind the steering wheel within the soace of about ten minutes. I didn't exactly see where but its worried me a bit. Anyone have any ideas what it could be? I'm scared that the airbag will go off in my face

[Mouse_GTI]

Hmm that's not good. I'd be more scared of my car going up in flames. No idea would be the cause, maybe something overheating. I'd definately get it checked out by your dealer

I once almost burned my clutch out trying to get onto ramps to change the oil. The engine was smoking for a few minutes, was quite scary!

[Redline]

Couple of people have experienced this before:

http://www.tigerstyle.co.uk/poloforum/v ... hp?t=24784

http://www.tigerstyle.co.uk/poloforum/v ... hp?t=15576

[Luke'sGti]

this used to happen in my golf mk3 cabriolet (Gti ) what it was on mine was a fuse blowing each time, and the best way i could describe the burning smell would be similar to that of when you strike a match. So i'd check all your fuses if i were you.

[Mouse_GTI]

b*******s guys, mine has just done this right this second, and it was a lot of smoke. s**t scared to start it up again incase it goes in flames...

was putting the car in the drive to wash bird crap off it before going out, so put on the front wiper washers. As the stalk is faulty it stayed on when I released it but I just left it as I needed to clear the screen anyway, that's when the smoke decided to pour out. Now I've got the replacement stalk but it's too much work for me to fix and I'm worried about using the car. May even be the ignition switch after reading on the internet.

Would you risk driving it?

[Bepe]

NO a big NO, i would disconnect the battery and call break down to tow you to a garage or auto electrician mouse!

[Sutch]

Everyone judges amounts differently but I had this going about 80, shat myself at the time the smoke would probably about have filled a 2 litre bottle!
It entailed it was my indicators finally going out in an interesting way, had them clicking when the stalk wasnt pressed etc!

I had to keep going (okay I just didn't think of RAC until now) but personally, I had no problems, just didnt use the stalks until I had them replaced!

Ed

[Mouse_GTI]

I've bought a fire extiguisher from Halfords, gonna get the car booked in asap. Wish we luck getting into work!

[chrischap2003]

I had the same problem. It will be linked to one of the stalks.

Mine was the indicator, hence i had the dreaded irritating clicking.

Eay enough job to DIY to be honest. Disconnect the battery, leave it for 10 mins, whip off the airbag via clips in the hols in the back of the wheel (use some thin screw drivers)....Mark your wheel with a bit of tipex or something, whip off the steering wheel, then whalla the stalks just clip off...

[Mouse_GTI]

I'm just avoiding using the wipers for now, and only if I really need to. Strange thing happened with the alarm too yesterday, when opening the car it made one long beep that sort of made a dying sound like it was losing power. Normally when I unlock the car it just makes two short beeps one after another. Hasn't done it today. I'll get an electrician to check out the alarm whilst I'm there because it's never been right.

Car is proving to be expensive now...electrical problems and a gearbox to replace in 2 weeks

[tomo87]

i like the smell of matches though

[Trottagti]

I'm just avoiding using the wipers for now, and only if I really need to. Strange thing happened with the alarm too yesterday, when opening the car it made one long beep that sort of made a dying sound like it was losing power. Normally when I unlock the car it just makes two short beeps one after another. Hasn't done it today. I'll get an electrician to check out the alarm whilst I'm there because it's never been right.

Car is proving to be expensive now...electrical problems and a gearbox to replace in 2 weeks

Yes there poop, Selling mine as a result of repair bills totalling 2 grand lol!

VW reliability hey, yeah write, wish i never bort my gti now it just bores me when i drive it now im so over my gti lol!

All about jap, but i have had the smoke behind the steering wheel and it wasnt to much but came out in stages like 3 puff clouds in around a minit, nothing came off it over a year ago so..........................

[kipper]

so im not the only one then. i dont even have a gti and ive had tonnes of problems...... cant wait to get rid of my car...

so far its had:

engine rebuild
gearbox rebuild
new clutch
new battery
new vacume hose
new breaklight switch
new passenger side cv joint and cover (most recent problem)
new speed controller
new temperature sensor
new door locks (one of them was my fault tho)

think thats it but i might remember other stuff.

and the pedal box has been changed.

[owenjt]

I had this a few years back, still had my warranty and breakdown from VW so a guy came out but found no faults. Never saw it again until last month when i had a little puff of smoke come out, was worried the airbag might go off or something but nothing has happened since.

[Mouse_GTI]

Oh the irony, I'm buying a Fiat as a replacement next year lol.

Before my gearbox incident today I haven't had the smoke back, though I've avoided using the washers and wipers regularly