Hot steering column cause?

[flamingchariots]

The car is an '84 Eagle sw, L6, auto, which we've had for about 6 years.
After sitting on the driveway for most of the summer, the last two times I drove it (50 miles, RT) on the freeway at 70+mph, I noticed an unusual heat coming from under the dashboard.  I found that the steering column is getting very warm... even the ignition key is hot. 
I opened the hood and it seemed hot, but not intense.  The temp gauge is working and shows normal.
Any ideas on what it could be that's causing this?

Thanks,
Kevin

[AMC1]

I sure am no expert on this but you have a potentially dangerous situation. The last thing you need is a fire under that dashboard @ 70 mph. I would get on my back with a trouble light & start the engine from cold & check that under dash area until I found that heat source. You could have some type of wiring short which could lead to a serious fire.

[carnuck]

Sounds like the ground from the body to the motor is missing and it's feeding back through the steering

[flamingchariots]

Sounds like the ground from the body to the motor is missing and it's feeding back through the steering.

Whereabouts do I look for this ground?  Is there an exploded diagram someplace?

[IowaEagle]

The body ground is located on the firewall (in engine compartment) about where the driver sits.  This is a weak point in  the electrical system and should be beefed up with a heavier wire.

[carnuck]

I added a new wire from the battery negative to the body to cure that in my Eagle.

Corrosion at the plug for the ignition switch can cause this as well.

[youngkyle]

I hope mine comes with a heated steering wheel.