TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 65 AND 70 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ENGAGED WHEN SUDDENLY, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING AND SMOKE BEGAN EMITTING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. WITHIN A FEW MINUTES, THE SMOKE SUBSIDED AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY REPLACING THE IGNITION AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPER SWITCH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.