TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED BURNING WIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE STEERING COLUMN WAS SMOKING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE WIRING HARNESS AND THE COMBINATION SWITCH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,400.