Date:         Mon, 16 Oct 2000 20:04:27 EDT
Reply-To:     kenneth d lewis <kdlewis@JUNO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         kenneth d lewis <kdlewis@JUNO.COM>
Subject:      Re: Fw: coil fire
Comments: To: midwesty@MIDWEST.NET

Darrell;
        That's what i like about this list, you learn something new
everyday. Do you have any more thoughts on this? How many unprotected
items, current draw etc.?  I knew there were two wires feeding off the
alternator, one to charge the battery, the other  must feed these
circuits. Would a fusible link work here?
        My truck is in the shop being painted this week and next weekend
I am going camping for three nights so I will not be able to check it out
for a while.

Drive Safely & Good Luck
Ken Lewis    <Kernersville,NC>
86 VW crewcab;60 356B Coupe
--------------------------------------------------

On Sun, 15 Oct 2000 11:48:56 -0500 Darrell Boehler <midwesty@MIDWEST.NET>
writes:
> Hi Brian,
>     Not so strange if you analyze the circuit. There is no fuse
>protection
>for the coil. Same is true of may (actually most)  other circuits /
>components in the engine compartment of our beloved but somewhat
>prone to
>fires vans.
>
> Midwesty
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "brian adams" <baadamz@HOTMAIL.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Sunday, October 15, 2000 10:32 AM
>
>
> > I recent;y had a wierd episode in my 84 Van GL, maybe it was from
>the
>> Friday
>> > 13th, full moon effect-but it could be something else.  I was
>installing
>> new
>> > shocks and pads on the front, went smooove, and then went to park
>the
>van
>> > after washing it.  Well my buddy noticed smoke coming from the van
>and I
>> > peeked intot he license plate door and saw FIRE!!!!  With fast
>action I
>> > opened the hatch to find my coil in flames.  Since i was washing
>the
>> windows
>> > I sprayed the flames down with a bottle of cleanre
>(whooooooooooooooa)
>and
>> > they were quickly extinguished.  Inspecting the damage, some wire
>needed
>> to
>> > be replace (really just the terminal connectors) and the
>distributor
>wire
>> > was melted.  How could this fire have started out of the clear
>blue?  I
>> will
>> > be replacing the coil and spark plug wire set, but could this
>happen
>> again?
>> > Who thinks its a bad coil?  Your comments are appreciated muchly.
>> >
>_________________________________________________________________________
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>>

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