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| Message: | After very carefull disassembly and inspection here is my final analysis of what happened: Pic1- Shows the "hot spot" of the fire centered around the B+ terminal block and the point at which the alternator B+ shorted. This caused the cable to heat and it heated the B+ terminal block enough to melt it and ignite. Once it lit, the droppings of melted/flaming plastic fell to the low voltage harness and the brake reservoir. Once it breached the brake fluid, all hell broke loose. This is what caused the "flame" damage to several areas.  Pic2- shows the low voltage harness that runs under the B+ block. It is burned from the outside in, not inside out as you would suspect of an internal short here. Not enough unfused current going thru these wires anyway.  Pic3- shows where the cable came in contact with the tube to the alternator.  Pic4- this is the alternator B+ cable after it was removed from the pipe. Notice the insulation is burned off apx 6-8" in the pipe. This is from internal heating of the cable, not from fire around the pipe.  Pic5- A little closer look at the weld marks on the inner edge of the tube.  I SUGGEST EVERYONE INSPECT THIS AREA IMMEDIATELY. technically, the tube is isolated from ground, but in metering 4 cars here, they all measure less than 1ohm to ground. Some cars have an extra rubber collar around the B+ cable as it exits the tube, some do not. I suggest putting something there. Pic6&7- after vacuum and pressure wash, not so bad!   | ||||
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