The fire melts the sheathing around the wire allowing current to cross over and reactivate the fuel pump and you have no control at this point.  What they are talking about is a way to ground out the pump in case this happens.  What I would like to know is what will work for Syncro's as the fuel tank is above the transmission and I'd rather not have our van looking like the "Burnt Vanagon of the Week".

Mark in AK

----- Original Message -----
From: Michael Diehr <md03@XOCHI.COM>
Date: Friday, March 3, 2006 3:17 pm
Subject: Re: Burnt Vanagon of the Week
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM

> What exactly happens when the engine catches fire, and why is it so
> hard to fight?  Can't you just kill the ignition, which should kill
> the fuel pump, then put it out with an extinguisher?   Or is there
> residual fuel pressure which keeps on spraying even after the power's
> off?
>
>
> On Mar 3, 2006, at 12:52 PM, John Brush wrote:
>
> > Still waiting for the more highly motivated and skilled among us to
> > come up
> > with a detector that would mount in the engine compartment, or on
> > underside
> > of the rear deck lid, that would monitor for flames, or an unusual
> > increase
> > in  heat output.
> >
> > Obviously, the fuel needs to be cut off, and the occupants
> > notified  as soon
> > as possible. By the time one sees the flames through the deck, or
> > out the
> > bottom, its probably too late.
> >
> > I know it could be done. Exactly how, is up for debate :-)
> >
> > John
>