General Up in smoke....

[Barney vd Merwe]

Must be shared...

On driving home yesterday the strangest thing happened - bulges of blue smoke came forth from the console inside the cabin together with the "sweet" smell of burning plastic. Pulled over and turned the ignition off instantly. Started the car, checked all electronics and found all in order except for the lights not operating. Spend the whole evening removing the speedometer console and tracing all melted wiring - approximately 50 centimeters of burnt wire - originating from the ignition harness to .... Insulation tape did the trick, all seems to be ok for now. Damn, no blown fuse warning even - all fuses were correct and intact.

Same scenario on my first 1372cc MK2 Uno happened a good couple of years ago; not as major as yesterday's experience though. Question is: Have any other drivers experienced the same on their MK2 Uno's....

I hope FIAT has an explanation for this. (Makes me considering keeping a little fire extinguisher in the car just in case )

 

[bludvl_x19]

(Makes me considering keeping a little fire extinguisher in the car just in case )

Do it anyway. ~$A30, just for the peace of mind that it provides.

My X1/9 has one, and the Volvo I drive will be getting one (if it lasts to Christmas )

 

[Ucof]

I havent had anything like this before..

..hope I never do!

 

[alexGS]

approximately 50 centimeters of burnt wire - originating from the ignition harness to .... Insulation tape did the trick, all seems to be ok for now.

I think something's missing from your post. Maybe you wanted us to guess?

Wire from the ignition harness to ...?

I reckon the thick red wires were chafing on the steering column, probably as a result of someone not refitting the covers with care. Those main supply wires won't be fused.

-Alex

 

[a73uk]

Are you sure it wasnt the headlight switch wiring Barney? it follows the same route as the igntition in the column area & switches do burn out before due to there not being relays in the system (fitting relays to the headlights is documented on here).

 

[a73uk]

Also, if this happens again, dont just turn the ignition off, immediately open the bonnet & disconnect the battery live!

 

[Barney vd Merwe]

Alex / A73uk

Thanks for that - Come to think of it, I replaced the seals on the clutch master cylinder last week Saturday and at one stage before removing and withdrawing it completely from the car I pressed the pedal on bended knee and the brake fluid squirted all over the footwell - Thus remembering when i undid the spaghetti of burnt wires I recalled they were wet and smelled like - you guessed it - Brake Fluid....

O.K. - Let's hear it !

Regards