Hello all!

I have a problem with my 97 Golf 3 (1.6). I bought it a couple of months ago and now that the weather is getting nicer, I have noticed that when it is warm/hot outside (particularly in the car), it doesn't start so easy. Sometimes I have to wait up to 20 minutes. When it is cold outside, it starts up just fine but when I get out of work and its hot inside the car, it doesn't start for quite a while. It doesn't make any noise, I just put the key in the ignition and turn (and nothing happens). I turn and turn and turn and eventually it starts. During the first couple of tries it smokes a little bit from the steering column. Anyone have any ideas about what the possible cause could be?
Thanks!!!

Nik