smoke rising from steering column

Hello, I have a 91 regal gs, 80k miles, vin 'L' 3800 v6 3.8L. I have recently noticed a line of smoke that will rise from the steering (http://www.automotiveforums.com/#) column. It has a burned plastic smell to it.

It occurs very sporadically, when I use my turning signals, however this morning I noticed the smoke rise when I moved from park to reverse when I pulled out of my garage (http://www.automotiveforums.com/#).

The smoke is very slight and easy to miss if not looking for it. It rises much like the smoke from a stick of inscense, but as I stated ealier it has a burnt plastic smell. It rises from the little gap on the top of the steering column, where the painted metal meets the plastic cover.

Thanks in advance to any and all help I can get from everyone.

PS. My turning signal is messed up. To turn left it works, but to turn right I must manually hold the switch up or it will simply just blink once.

The smoke and the inoperative turn signals are related. You have a bad multifunction/turn signal switch, a very common problem on these cars. The smoke is the grease that lubricates the contacts getting burnt due to the arching. There are two different ones, depending on whether you have steering wheel mounted accessory controls, so make sure you get the correct one.

I know this was a long time ago, but I still haven't fixed this. Should I just replace the switch or the actual multi-function lever as well. Others have said to replace the steering column as well, any input would be appreciated-trying to budget this fix.

Oh, one more thing, I have controls for the radio on my steering wheel, however, I do not use them. Can I use the cheaper turn signal switch with no radio controls for steering wheel, or are they simply incompatible.

you need to get the correct switch, as the wiring is different on each.

The lever itself doesn't need to be replaced, just the M/F switch.

The AC-Delco part number is D6214a (GM#19005032), and here's a picture from Delco's website of the part.

http://198.208.187.182/internet/ViewPartImage.jsp?acdelcoPartNumber=d6214a

I need to remeber this post, mine is doing the same thing, scared em the first time i thought i was going to have to tuck and roll out of the vehicle.:licka: hey untouchable, do you have an issue with a vibration when accelerating, to about 50 -55 mph, if i let off gas and push again the vibration will stop but comes back.

i priced a switch around 100 bucks i replaced the column

If you replaced the column with a used one from a junk yard, get ready to do this all again. It is a very common issue and every one of these switches will need to be replaced sooner or later.