Electrical Fire! I think?

Mon Sep 10, 2007 1:45 pm

Driving back from the airport yesterday evening when I court a wiff a strong smell of burning plastic. Thought it must be outside and thought nothing of it for a couple of minutes until the inside of the car began to fill with smoke and the dials started going awal! e.g. fuel gauge all over the shot, temp gauge up and down, speedo shutting on and off etc etc.

I pulled in at the nearest services got out in a hurry and went to get my extinguisher from the boot just in case things got serious (always prepared!) The smoke cleared, the smell was still present so I left it there for a bit until my Dad came and picked me up.

Just waiting for the car to be recovered as I type. Before i contact an extortionate auto electrician - cos they all are! Anyone had this happen before, leading me to a likely cause!? Absolutely gutted, the car is my pride and joy (schwartz tech2) and had not long finished cleaning it! Wonder if getting rid of the smell of burning plastic will be difficult?

Any pointers anyone - realise this is a shot in the dark but thought it would be worth putting it to the zone for comments?

Regards

Mon Sep 10, 2007 3:30 pm

I'd just be checking for the obvious really - burnt wires in the engine bay, around the fusebox etc. Have a look around the exhaust/manifold areas to see if anything looks like its been dislodged and touching the bits that get hot. Strip off the exhaust heat shield and make sure everything is okay under there. I know that wires run back to the diff to pick up the signal for the speedo.

I once ran over the top of a plastic bag that was floating about the street. It wrapped itself around the exhuast near the front and burnt itself on there. If it had been further up toward the manifold I reckon some the engine bay wiring would have been at risk.

Mon Sep 10, 2007 3:49 pm

I hope you disconnected the battery before leaving your car.

I would start off by sniffing about under your dashboard to see if the smell is stronger in a speciffic place.
also check for obvious signs of burning.

Mon Sep 10, 2007 4:23 pm

Thanks, yeah I disconnected the battery when I first got out of the car. Just checked the car, no damaged wires and cant really smell the burnt plastic either - weird! Two fuses have gone in the fusebox. I'm gonna see what these are attached two, think one is the speedo and try and track it down that way? No fun though, pretty gutted to be honest!

Cheers for the advice though!

Mon Sep 10, 2007 5:43 pm

as i am an auto electrician the comment that we are all a little pricy i would say this burn wires fused together takes time but you could allways do it yourself and have another fire if it aint done right .

Mon Sep 10, 2007 7:31 pm

again, thanks for the advice!

Mon Sep 10, 2007 7:39 pm

if you can remove the loom then all you need to do is trace the wires away from the burn section and then replace . i tend to use two vices this way you can keep the loom tight and this way its easy to replocate the wires that are burnt colour code them if poss but if not a colour close is also ok the re wrap with self amalgamating tape non sticky but it sticks to its self job done 9 as for price i beleive because you cannot see what has been done its not easy to gauge how long it took and so the price may be a little steep for something you cant see ok mate any help let me no as i have lots of cable if you find some burnt wires i might have some gear for you