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It'sNotWorthComplaining!
14th December 2011, 04:58 PM
:eek2: yesterday I drove my D2 petrol ES and parked for 5 mins and then turned the key and I got a tic tic tic, like the battery was flat. I tried a couple of mins later and she started like normal.

Today I did a Auto trans filter and oil change. Got into move the disco and got the tic tic tic again.
This time how ever electrical wire burning smoke was coming up from Electric window panel on the centre console. I quickly disconnected the battery and pulled the hand brake gaiter off as it was smoldering, then I could see a glow of a flame from underneath the Auto shifter. I managed to blow it out like a candle.
I noticed there was white residue like white soot on the hand brake cable and the cable will not retract when the hand brake is released.
The window switches appear to be unburnt, I haven't got around to pulling the centre console out to find any wire damage.

Maybe a wire rubbed through somewhere, but I thought a fuse would have blown first.

I found a few shoddy bits of workmanship under the disco,:mad: the previous owner had a new trans flex plate fitted, the bozo mechanics, had either lost the bell housing bolts or fitted them incorrectly. 2 extra long bolts where used to mate the trans to engine, one had a big nut as a spacer to take up some of the extra length of one bolt, the other was just 30 mm too long, they had run out of thread on that bolt.

Trouble with buying second had , you don't know what the previous Expert mechanic stuffed up before you until you start pulling things apart:(

Seems when things go wrong it's always before xmas ( Christmas)

I checked Rave and the SRS loom runs along under the console.
So I won't know what burnt until I pull it apart.

Pedro_The_Swift
14th December 2011, 05:29 PM
We dont get that many fires:o


and must admit the closer it gets to the Holidays,, the more I fear the other shoe will drop---:eek:

incisor
14th December 2011, 05:31 PM
best of luck with it INWC

clubagreenie
14th December 2011, 05:59 PM
Name change in order to ItsNowWorthComplaining

It'sNotWorthComplaining!
14th December 2011, 06:03 PM
Guys a pulled the console out and all looms are ok. It appears something with a bit of amperage has shorted out on my Hand Brake Cable. The fire was my handbrake cable, as in the pic it is heat bent, and the scorch marks are to be seen on the lever etc. So now I'll have to jack it up and have a crawl around to see what and how it happened. At least my SRS and main loom under the console are ok.
http://img812.imageshack.us/img812/1788/s6300150m.jpg

northiam
14th December 2011, 06:14 PM
Were you or some else smoking a cigarette in the car recently?
Sorry someone had to ask!

It'sNotWorthComplaining!
14th December 2011, 06:20 PM
Were you or some else smoking a cigarette in the car recently?
Sorry someone had to ask!
Ha Ha, I haven't smoked for 15 years, I don't move around too fast either to cause friction.;) no of us smoke

bee utey
14th December 2011, 06:21 PM
Faulty engine earth straps, as always. Run a new earth cable from the battery negative to the engine block where the ends can be seen and checked occasionally. You were using the handbrake cable as an earth for starter current! Common fault across many vehicles where the existing cable isn't visible.

It'sNotWorthComplaining!
14th December 2011, 06:56 PM
Faulty engine earth straps, as always. Run a new earth cable from the battery negative to the engine block where the ends can be seen and checked occasionally. You were using the handbrake cable as an earth for starter current! Common fault across many vehicles where the existing cable isn't visible.

Wow you are really know your stuff!!!!!
:angel: guess who the other week for got to reconnect the BIG BLACK EARTH LEAD from the Battery that is supposed to bolt onto the engine?:angel::angel::angel::angel::angel::angel:: angel::angel::angel::angel::angel::angel:
Yes it was earthing via the handbrake cable:bangin:

bigcarle
15th December 2011, 06:49 AM
yep i was going to jump in and say earth cable but i see you have already found out, at least you don't have to go too far to kick the butt of the repair man ;) (good job on stopping the fire BTW)
i have also read in a club mag about not putting the earth cable back on the engine of an Austin 1800, when you try to start it it earths through the choke cable and not very well either

It'sNotWorthComplaining!
15th December 2011, 07:42 AM
yep i was going to jump in and say earth cable but i see you have already found out, at least you don't have to go too far to kick the butt of the repair man ;) (good job on stopping the fire BTW)
i have also read in a club mag about not putting the earth cable back on the engine of an Austin 1800, when you try to start it it earths through the choke cable and not very well either

Yes I gave the mechanic a good talking to last night. I think he got the message.

The moral of the story is, don't do things late in the day when you are tired and rush to finish the job. Leave it until the next day.

wrinklearthur
15th December 2011, 07:55 AM
Hi

The older Land Rovers with a earth strap problem, used to release their smoke via the speedo cable.

Everything runs on smoke ! and when the smoke gets out, they stop.

.