I lost it all....electrical fire high up in the dash - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

nothernubie · #31 01-05-2009, 09:49 PM

Dude- I'm sooo sorry. My pathetic timing chain break one week after finally doing 3k of new suspension from rubber to guide rod mounts becomes pretty marginal. This is not the first story of flames I've read on this site in my brief, intermittent excursions. Maybe there was a reason the box came with a fire extinguisher, right? And the other two or three I've read seemed to be electrical that started under the dash... do any of you electrical gurus out that have specific guidance - preventive stuff esp. for the older models that we should check? Any bomb-proofing that should be done? I'm just about to dump 7-8k on a rebuilt long block/pumps et al and install for Helga who died tragically last year literally one week after I had her whole suspension rebuilt including the Vogtland springs, new rubber, 16" rims off a late model SLK, Bilstein's all around and, of course, every moving/rubber part down to guide rod mounts. Would hate to do this (lots and lots 'o angst) and have her burn up going down the highway. Truly I have a visceral ache for your loss. Anybody with input on detecting risk/preventing this please have say!! I will send good "insurance coverage" vibes your direction with my own personal MB bedtime prayers.

bgkast · #32 01-05-2009, 09:56 PM

Holy catfish! Sorry to hear this. I'm installing a fuse to my aux pump and a battery cutoff tomorrow!

Is 1 amp really enough for the aux water pump?

#33 01-05-2009, 09:59 PM

Wow, that really sucks. I'm glad nobody was hurt by the fire or the rounds going off.

Unfortunately, I think this was a big mistake:

Quote:

Finally saw smoke coming from behind the Climate control panel. Tried turning stuff off. Then hunting a place to pull over. Knew a church lot was coming up and made a run to it.

If you had stopped immediately and turned off the key, it might have ended before getting hot enough to ignite.

Anyway, thats why I keep two extinguishers in my car. One in the trunk and one in the glovebox.

I suggest everyone get a few. They aren't as bulky as normal extinguishers and they spray longer for trying to put out hard to reach fires like those in the dash. I got mine at walmart for about $13 each.
http://www.firstalert.com/tundra_what_is.php

I don't even have a aux. water pump, I put a copper pipe in place of it. The only time the pump is actually useful is when the engine is at idle.

TylerH860 · #34 01-05-2009, 10:00 PM

With the cemetery in the background, the photos are chilling...

I would be inconsolable if that happened to Zippy or Ol' Turbo.

Hatterasguy · #35 01-05-2009, 10:01 PM

Ouch that really sucks! I need to get a fire extinguisher!

BodhiBenz1987 · #36 01-05-2009, 10:04 PM

Wow ... that is terrible! I'm so sorry. I don't know what I would do if that happened. They'd have to carry me off to the psych ward in the fetal position.

After seeing those pics I may start carrying a fire extinguisher on my belt (there's one in my trunk, but I'm not sure that's close enough ...).

Hope you can at least get a fair shake from the insurance co. But still, the loss is much more than monetary ... you have my sympathy.

cphilip · #37 01-05-2009, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TylerH860

With the cemetery in the background, the photos are chilling...

I would be inconsolable if that happened to Zippy or Ol' Turbo.

Ironic ain't it? I was trying to think of an open place to pull it to and that was close. So I went for it. Everything from when I realize the smoke I was smelling was my dash to there is two lane and heavily tree lined woods so I knew I couldn't stop there. Not that I even thought it would get that bad at the time.

I am numb right now. Just numb.

Fire extinguisher.... Fire extinguisher...

TylerH860 · #38 01-05-2009, 10:06 PM

Even if you did manage to squelch the fire early, it would have been a mess for the interior and electrical system. Don't kick yourself too bad.

Something similar happened to me once on my father's boat. I was pulling my younger cousins in a tube, and I started to notice smoke coming from the back. I immediately shut off the engine, but shortly after the starter began cranking the engine. When I popped the rear hatch to the engine bay, it triggered a small back draft.

The boat had a fire extinguisher, but I jumped overboard thinking of myself before the boat. When the fire reached the extenguisher, it shot off and exploded like a firecracker.

winmutt · #39 01-05-2009, 10:07 PM

Oh look, the lights are still on!

Cphillip that sucks. Truly. I am going to find fire extinguishers for both of my cars. And this is a great reasan to rip out ACCIII and that silly AC system.

alphadeltaromeo · #40 01-05-2009, 10:10 PM

Quite sorry to hear about the loss...truly a shame.

Andy

cphilip · #41 01-05-2009, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForcedInduction

Wow, that really sucks. I'm glad nobody was hurt by the fire or the rounds going off.

Unfortunately, I think this was a big mistake:
If you had stopped immediately and turned off the key, it might have ended before getting hot enough to ignite.

Anyway, thats why I keep two extinguishers in my car. One in the trunk and one in the glovebox.

I suggest everyone get a few. They aren't as bulky as normal extinguishers and they spray longer for trying to put out hard to reach fires like those in the dash. I got mine at walmart for about $13 each.
http://www.firstalert.com/tundra_what_is.php

I don't even have a aux. water pump, I put a copper pipe in place of it. The only time the pump is actually useful is when the engine is at idle.

Possibly. Lots of decisions run through your head. You go with the best you can do in the situation. And no one assumes the worst at first. I expected a fuse to blow and no fire. Then the worst started happening. Like in slow motion...

Between the realization of smoke to observed fire was about 1/4 mile. Maybe three minutes time to off and key off. It all happened so quick. The time between smelling smoke and seeing it was maybe 1/4 a mile before that.

No time to think really.

But it was a small enough fire when I had stopped, observed for sure that it was, AND could have extinguished, that a small extinguisher would have done a lot.

dieseldan44 · #42 01-05-2009, 10:14 PM

Im sorry man. I felt sick looking at those photos.

At least it didn't happen in your garage after you had thought everything was OK and went in for the night...taking your house with it.

dd

dieseldan44 · #43 01-05-2009, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForcedInduction

Wow, that really sucks. I'm glad nobody was hurt by the fire or the rounds going off.

Unfortunately, I think this was a big mistake:
If you had stopped immediately and turned off the key, it might have ended before getting hot enough to ignite.

Anyway, thats why I keep two extinguishers in my car. One in the trunk and one in the glovebox.

I suggest everyone get a few. They aren't as bulky as normal extinguishers and they spray longer for trying to put out hard to reach fires like those in the dash. I got mine at walmart for about $13 each.
http://www.firstalert.com/tundra_what_is.php

I don't even have a aux. water pump, I put a copper pipe in place of it. The only time the pump is actually useful is when the engine is at idle.

I looked into this right now - one catch for keeping in the glovebox:

From the Tundra site: http://www.firstalertstore.com/store/start.asp?area=nav_acc_model&category_id=2

"****Safe storage between 32-107° F"

No good for storing in the car...or at least the specs say.

dd

Bio300TDTdriver · #44 01-05-2009, 10:20 PM

I'm so sorry for the loss of your car, but I'm glad you are OK. My wife saw the pictures and it even made her sad.

theo3000 · #45 01-05-2009, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dieseldan44

I looked into this right now - one catch for keeping in the glovebox:

From the Tundra site: http://www.firstalertstore.com/store/start.asp?area=nav_acc_model&category_id=2

"****Safe storage between 32-107° F"

No good for storing in the car...or at least the specs say.

dd

Good catch!