Whilst driving, my 1999 VW Polo has started smoking from steering column?
The garage cannot replicate the smoke or find the cause - after taking the whole thing apart. It is a thin, fast continuous stream of smoke - smells like party poppers. It has happened whilst driving along - mostly whilst it is raining - and the windscreen wipers are on. The mechanics cleaned and sprayed electrical spray - and it happened again - and worse after that! - My car is now redundant at the moment. I have owned it since new - and it is deteriorating in the usual ways - ie. needed new brakes, exhaust, drivers lock etc. recently had new starter motor fitted.
I had this on a Y reg polo , was coming from the airbag module . Smelt not of burning but i guess like you said party poppers.
Nothing happened and it didn't catch fire so dont worry about it. But a while later the airbag warning light stayed on all the time and could not be reset.
If it catches fire then just run away then buy a new car with the insurance money lol
stupid stuart
November 2008
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