my car caught on fire NEED HELP FAST!

DarkoStoj

Founding Member

Sep 4, 2002

929

13

39

Detroit

Jan 20, 2006

#1

• Jan 20, 2006

• #1

I was planning on heading home from school today (1.5 hour trip) and am already running late. I get to my car and open it up only to realise the inside caught on fire!

Now I have no idea how this happened, and am atleast grateful that the damage was minor...but this just freaks me out about further issues with the car.

I need to know what the wires are that caught on fire, because I have to leave in the next 1/2 hour here and want to know what they are for.


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Capt Dan

New Member

Mar 31, 2005

237

0

0

College Station, Texas

Jan 20, 2006

#2

• Jan 20, 2006

• #2

Have you checked, does the car start?

I think the wires that run thru that area are the ones for the door switch (courtesy lights) and then the harness running to the back for your tail lights. Someone else could correct me.

I had a wire start to burn like that coming from my ignition. A short in my switch started it and before I couold get the battery disconnected (I was there at the time, thank goodness) it traveled thru the harness almost back to the battery melting all the wires it was next to in the harness. Take care in fixing it and make sure the short didn't travel into unexpected places.

Give your car a "pre inspection" inspection and make sure all the lights work. Cut and wire nut the exposed wires so they dont arc. If you are still driving it home, bring a fire extinguisher and a cell phone.

 

M

mustangdave

My rearend needs a stud and two nuts.

Founding Member

Feb 26, 2002

2,976

1

56

North Carolina

Jan 20, 2006

#3

• Jan 20, 2006

• #3

I think Dan is right; most likely going to tailights/brakelights but kinda looks like speaker wire also.

 

Jester67

Member

Sep 21, 2004

908

1

18

TN

Jan 20, 2006

#4

• Jan 20, 2006

• #4

I would not start a 1.5 hour trip in a car that just cought fire the last thing you wont is to be in traffic and it happen again with you in it. just my .02 cents

 

DarkBuddha

Founding Member

Dec 11, 2001

2,215

1

47

Seattle & Tampa

Jan 20, 2006

#5

• Jan 20, 2006

• #5

Just remember... **** don't catch on fire for no reason. Find the culprit and fix it.

 

krash kendall

Active Member

Nov 19, 2004

1,258

0

36

Aldergrove, B.C. Canada

Jan 20, 2006

#6

• Jan 20, 2006

• #6

Those wires don't look like they started the fire (from the pics at least). Did the fuse box possibly burn and the melted drippings start the fire at the floor?

 

6

65mistress

Member

Aug 17, 2004

405

1

17

Generica USA

Jan 20, 2006

#7

• Jan 20, 2006

• #7

Fix it before considering driving it. Rent a car if you have to get home, but don't drive it until you find the cause of the flare up.

 

65 fastback

Founding Member

Mar 17, 2002

1,347

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37

Northern VA

Jan 20, 2006

#8

• Jan 20, 2006

• #8

krash kendall said:

Those wires don't look like they started the fire (from the pics at least). Did the fuse box possibly burn and the melted drippings start the fire at the floor?

Click to expand...

Krash has a good point, your fuse box is directly above the damaged area. You at least need to pull the fuse box down and inspect it.

Tim

 

Jester67

Member

Sep 21, 2004

908

1

18

TN

Jan 20, 2006

#9

• Jan 20, 2006

• #9

Oh and UNHOOK the battery just in case.

 

L

limey66

Member

Sep 23, 2004

408

0

16

Northampton, England

Jan 20, 2006

#10

• Jan 20, 2006

• #10

I know the wiring on my '66 all too well, yours looks similar. The big bundle of wires that are running in the body (you can see them through the cut out) are stock and feed the taillights and fuel gauge. The other ones look non-stock to me, as they don't run behind the metalwork from above the dash.

Can you tell us what the colours are?

 

mfp4073

Founding Member

Mar 14, 2001

387

0

38

Hells Ditch, FL

Jan 20, 2006

#11

• Jan 20, 2006

• #11

um yeah, please dont tell us you tried to drive the car like that until you figger out the problem!

 

gonzothegreat

Member

May 4, 2004

421

1

16

London (uk)

Jan 20, 2006

#12

• Jan 20, 2006

• #12

I'd say it's time to re-wire that car

 

DarkoStoj

Founding Member

Sep 4, 2002

929

13

39

Detroit

Jan 20, 2006

#13

• Jan 20, 2006

• #13

so i checked it out and everything worked, and the wires that were melted seemed to come from the headlight dimmer switch

I disconnected some of the wires & trimmed the exposed metal and made the trip

I got it home and I cut out all the damaged wire and replaced it. Seems to be working fine now.

 

RFMustangGT

Member

Apr 4, 2005

294

0

16

Knoxville,TN

Jan 21, 2006

#14

• Jan 21, 2006

• #14

gonzothegreat said:

I'd say it's time to re-wire that car

Click to expand...

Painless wiring kit. I've done 2. one in my 62 t-bird and one in my dads 55 t-bird. my 62 had the new style kit and the wires were labeled which made it so much easier.