Yesterday, I noticed a line of smoke coming out of my steering column where the turn signal is. When I turned off the wipers the smoke came stop coming out. When I turned the wipers on the smoke came back.


I noticed the wipers moved slower at its highest speed when there was smoke coming out.

So I let the car sit for an hour. After that there was no smoke when the wipers were on or off. Today there was no smoke coming out.

I talked to a mechanic at a dealership where I work and he said it is the wiper switch. They gave an estimate today and the cost would be around $250!!! The mechanic said he would also be able to do it in around 45 minutes. He said it would take half a day for someone who hasn't done it before.

I'm going to see how much a different shop would charge.

Can anyone say if it may not have been the wiper switch or any suggestions to save money?

 

It's the wiper switch.

Do it yourself.

You need a lock ring remover and a steering wheel puller. With those, it's not too terribly hard. You can "rent" them for a whole lot less than $250 at Auto Zone, Advance, CSK, etc.

 

I have no experience taking apart the steering column. Is it complictated to put it back together?

 

Not really.

Vader I believe it is, posts a steering column blowup diagram once in a while; do a search, it'll help you alot.