Last I wrote:

>  Sorry, I've seen the little thumwheel style knobs there for heated seats
and
>  this is not anything like a thumwheel.  It looks like a little electronic
>  display of some sort.

I have contacted the owner of the 88 Westy in question and he doesn't know
what the "thing" is.  He had apparently never noticed it.  He said that he
would look at it and see if he can figure out what it is & get back to me.

That was a week ago and I have not heard back from him yet.  
The van is for sale though.  I gave him instructions on how to subscribe to
the list and suggested that he place an ad on the list.  Of course, you all
know that a used car in Phoenix will have no rust, it will however have a
"thing" on the steering column.
I haven't seen his ad appear on the list either though.

Regards,
Jim Davis
87 GL Syncro
88 GL Wolfsburg