2005 Volkswagen Jetta Steering Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE CONTACT ADDED POWER STEERING FLUID TO THE VEHICLE BUT CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 201,000.

TURN SIGNAL SWITCH MALFUNCTION AND FIRE... RIGHT TURN SIGNAL ACTIVATED WITHOUT SWITCH BEING ACTIVATED. AFTER ABOUT 5-10 MINUTES IN THIS CONDITION, SMOKE CAME OUT OF STEERING COLUMN. FIRE/MARKING COULD BE SEEN IN THE SWITCH AREA. EVENTUALLY THE TURN SIGNAL WENT OUT AND THE SMOKE/FIRE STOPPPED. VW SERVICE REPLACED THE SWITCH AND WIRE HARNES. THE PLACTIC ON THE SWITCH AND HARNES WAS MELTED AND CHARRED. *CN