With all that additional electrical current it might not be a bad idea to
add a fusible link, fuse or circuit breaker to your system while you're
in there.

Stan Wilder

On Tue, 24 Dec 2002 21:41:19 -0800 Brent Christensen
<sbsyncro@HOTMAIL.COM> writes:
> Thanks for all the responses.  (Wow - I got a lot of responses)
>
> After thinking about it and reviewing the pictures, I think many of
> you are probably right - it does not make sense that it was caused
> by the "consumer" end of the electrical system.  (Chalk my comments
> up to ignorance, panic, and knee jerk reaction).  At least I feel a
> bit less guilty and a bit more lucky (considering that it appears
> there was an actual fire which was extinguished by sudden coolant
> spray).
>
> I am *guessing* that it was perhaps a FI system failure promulgated
> by the sub-freezing temperatures (brittleness, sudden expansion,
> etc.).  I have been super-diligent about replacing things on a PM
> schedule, and the entire loop of hi-pressure FI lines was replaced
> with the current motor about 5 years and 75k miles ago.  I figured I
> had about 25k more before I needed to worry about it, but I have
> always told my (very competent) mechanic to replace *anything* that
> looks like it needs it, particularly the FI lines.  (Particularly
> since putting out not one but TWO side-of-the-road Vanagon engine
> fires!)
>
> I wish I was more familiar with the engine compartment and could
> perform a better forensic analysis.  I hope to be able to have
> someone look at it and make an assessment before I rip it apart and
> attempt repair.
>
> To those of you offering wiring harnesses - THANK YOU!   I need to
> figure out what the heck I am going to do, and will probably be in
> touch.   I may call my insurance company on Thursday, just to see if
> there is a basis for a claim (as someone mentioned).  If they would
> at least pay for a tow and rental car, that would set me way ahead
> financially....
>
> Thanks all, and Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays!
>
> Brent Christensen
> '89 GL Syncro Westy (Over Easy with Toast)
> Santa Barbara, CA
>
> ----- Original Message -----
>   From: Brent Christensen
>   To: sagp2002@yahoogroups.com ; Syncro@yahoogroups.com ;
> vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com ; syncrolist@yahoogroups.com
>   Sent: Monday, December 23, 2002 10:18 PM
>   Subject: WARNING: Lighting upgrade hazard
>
>
>   Ladies & Gents:
>
>   I feel compelled to warn everyone about my recent disaster (this
> morning).   Many of us have spent a great deal of time discussing
> the various methods and techniques to upgrade our lighting systems;
> most recently the SA double-light systems using H4 bulbs.   Those of
> us involved in the discussion talked a lot about the modifications
> made between the battery and the lights, including relays, fuses,
> wire gauge, etc.
>
>   Unfortunately, I (and others, I fear) overlooked the wiring
> between the alternator and the battery.  Well, today I found out how
> disastrous this oversight can be.   I have run my 80w/100w lights
> for months with no problems, including running them along with the
> main heater, horn, windshield wipers, and 150w subwoofer amp.  This
> morning, however, I was in a situation that called for using the
> rear (auxilliary) heater.  This combined with the front heater and
> the side mirror defrosters appears to have exceeded the capacity of
> the stock wiring.
>
>   To make a long story short, my engine wiring harness is cooked,
> and it took with it several cooling system lines, other electrical
> wires, and a couple of vacuum hoses.  Thank God no fuel injection
> lines were burned.
>
>   For the gory details, see
>   http://members.cox.net/bpchristensen/Vanagon/Fried_Wire/Index.htm
>
>
>   Brent Christensen
>   '89 GL Syncro Westy
>   Santa Barbara, CA
>
>

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