My car just burned to ashes. I am sooo mad. It started in the front. I am still in disbelif. It happened at 11:30. I have another one to build but I don't think so at least not right now. Too much time money blood etc to burn up. I am sooo MAD!!!!
IP: Logged
01:34 AM
PFF
System Bot
FieroGTS Member
Posts: 200 From: Tampa, FL, USA Registered: Feb 2002
I am noticing a trend here. Most of the Fieros that get burned are those from members who modify them themselves.
Not knocking anyones technical abilites. Just something I noticed. Heck, I am probably wrong...actually, I hope I am wrong and these are freak accidents.
IP: Logged
03:52 AM
Indiana_resto_guy Member
Posts: 7158 From: Shelbyville, IN USA Registered: Jul 2000
Yes, In the front(spare tire compartment) is pron to fires in the fireo, I have seen or heard (with this one included 19) If you open up the front compartment and have a sunroof take off the sunroof holding tray (SO IT'S EASIER TO SEE WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT) If you stand on the passangers side and look at the wiring that goes to windshield washer bottle, now start following it back to the drivers side it plugs into 2 relays, also a front trunk light (on some models) keep following it back and you will see the wires (i think four) pluging into a vertical plug in (NOT THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS, WITH THE 1/4 INCH BOLT HARNESS) Anyway unplug this plug, you will see 2 7mm bolts that hold it in place, take them out and this coil looking thing will come right out, NOW INSIDE THERE IS WHERE YOUR FIRE STARTS, you see those coil wires get hot and if you reach your fingers in there, there will be all kinds of leafs, and twigs and so on, you MUST clen it all out you will be surprised how much is in there. I also take out the heater blower motor (right next to it) so I can send a vaccum hose in there because the leafs get so packed in there on the passenger side that you just can't get them out with your fingers. Hopefully this will help you guy so, we don't have any more fiero fires!
IP: Logged
08:34 AM
thomas_l Member
Posts: 1197 From: Alpharetta, GA, US Registered: Apr 2001
Originally posted by FIERO JOHN-WI: Anyway unplug this plug, you will see 2 7mm bolts that hold it in place, take them out and this coil looking thing will come right out, NOW INSIDE THERE IS WHERE YOUR FIRE STARTS, you see those coil wires get hot and if you reach your fingers in there, there will be all kinds of leafs, and twigs and so on, you MUST clen it all out you will be surprised how much is in there.
I believe you are describing the resistor pack for the blower motor (A/c & heat). When you select different fan speeds, the switch sends the current through a different path to step down power to the motor. I have seen old and brittle ones light up like filaments so that's a valid fire-starter. Usually you will have symptoms of erratic blower speed or only works on "hi" position (on GMs, selecting "hi" will close a relay and bypass the resistors). The truth is any electrical circuit has the same potential.
In my experience, the most popular cause of electrical fires is a shade-tree mechanic bypassing the OEM safety features. Next thing you know, some car stereo "guru" drives a screw into a harness and a major meltdown begins resulting in a smoky mess because the built in safeties aren't there anymore. I have found jumpers/improper fuses in the fuse panel and solid wire replacements of fusible links in 90% of "mystery fires". The other 10% is usually caused by a spark or hot exhaust igniting flammables (classic engine fire) or a hot cat convertor in tall, dry grass.
#1 Thing... ALWAYS carry a fire extinguisher in your car. Even two if you can spare the space (one in the passenger compartment for quick access & one in the trunk for a spare).
So your car must look something like this? This was a car we "acquired" this way... don't know the history on it. The only salvagable parts were some of the lower trim on the passenger side (these trim pieces are now on my GreenGT)
Went outside and tried to recover my books Exams tomorrow that is almost the largest loss right now. Too much time invested for it to go up in smoke. No mods to the front of the car all mods =3.1l camaro accel coil ported hedders ported middle and lower intake. Fire started around headlight bucket too. My skill is not to blame!
IP: Logged
10:19 AM
freedog81 Member
Posts: 240 From: Orangeburg SC Registered: Feb 2002
I, when I had my Fiero, carried 3 extinquisher. Front, middle, and back. That way if one part of the car was on fire, I would always have an extinquisher in easy reach. too many times I have heard of people unable to get their exitinquisher because they put it in an area where the fire actually started.
IP: Logged
11:12 AM
Dennis LaGrua Member
Posts: 15475 From: Hillsborough, NJ U.S.A. Registered: May 2000
A Fiero poses a greater risk of fire than other cars and therefore requires more maintenance. Due to the mid engine design a Fieros hot exhaust is right beneath the engine. Antifreeze, gasoline, engine oil, transmission oil or even refrigerent leaks on a hot catalytic converter can ignite a fire. In addition to maintenance done under the front compartment as noted above; a leak free engine is essential to helping minimize the risk of fire. If engine modifications are done properly, they should not increase the fire risk. Although you car may be well maintained, all Fiero owners should always carry two fire extinguishers at all times. Better safe with a $20 investment than sorry for a loss of a valuable vehicle.
Originally posted by jscott1: Is it just me, or is all this talk about fires and Fieros just adding to the myth and hype about Fieros being prone to burning up?
If Fiero enthusiasts perpetuate these stories then the general public will never disassociate the Fiero from the image of being fire prone.
I understand what you're saying... but the reality is that a possibility for fire does exist- and if we ignore it, or disregard it the problem will only worsen. By warning people as to what causes these fires- we can prevent them more readily.
And having a fire extinguisher handy... you should have one in every car you drive- not just the Fiero. It's just a safety precaution! I can't count the number of car fires I've seen where everyone is just standing around watching it burn- 'cause no one thought to carry a fire extinguisher!
IP: Logged
12:50 PM
thomas_l Member
Posts: 1197 From: Alpharetta, GA, US Registered: Apr 2001
Originally posted by freedog81: My skill is not to blame!
Didn't mean to imply anything by my remarks. I was generalizing based on burn repairs I have done in the past. My intent was that you might have some ideas when doing a "post-mortem" if you do that. Perhaps there was some previous owner that repaired some crash damage and pinched a harness, then hinked up the fuse link or fuse to get it to work. You never know. Whenever I dive into a project on one of my Fieros I spend 50% of the time cussing the previous person that cobbled everything up making my job twice as difficult
BTW: Fieros are no more prone to burning that any other car. If you want to talk about cars likely to burn check out the early 90's Fords with ignition switches that overheat & burn.
IP: Logged
01:05 PM
freedog81 Member
Posts: 240 From: Orangeburg SC Registered: Feb 2002
I am soo sad that it is gone I am wondering if the engine is still good because I have a manual car exactly the same in the yard but the engine is bad in it and I really like the 3.1. I understand what you are saying about the skill of the mechanic burning up the car and that is the primary reason that I choose to do all of the work on the car myself, too many vehicles in my family have been lost to incompotent certified mechanics.
IP: Logged
01:25 PM
Mach10 Member
Posts: 7375 From: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Registered: Jan 2001
Originally posted by Dennis LaGrua: [b] A Fiero poses a greater risk of fire than other cars and therefore requires more maintenance. Due to the mid engine design a Fieros hot exhaust is right beneath the engine. Antifreeze, gasoline, engine oil, transmission oil or even refrigerent leaks on a hot catalytic converter can ignite a fire. In addition to maintenance done under the front compartment as noted above; a leak free engine is essential to helping minimize the risk of fire. If engine modifications are done properly, they should not increase the fire risk. Although you car may be well maintained, all Fiero owners should always carry two fire extinguishers at all times. Better safe with a $20 investment than sorry for a loss of a valuable vehicle.
[/B]
Sorry, but enlighten me as to how a Fiero is more prone to fires than say, a Volkswagen?
Originally posted by FIERO JOHN-WI: Yes, In the front(spare tire compartment) is pron to fires in the fireo, I have seen or heard (with this one included 19) If you open up the front compartment and have a sunroof take off the sunroof holding tray (SO IT'S EASIER TO SEE WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT) If you stand on the passangers side and look at the wiring that goes to windshield washer bottle, now start following it back to the drivers side it plugs into 2 relays, also a front trunk light (on some models) keep following it back and you will see the wires (i think four) pluging into a vertical plug in (NOT THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS, WITH THE 1/4 INCH BOLT HARNESS) Anyway unplug this plug, you will see 2 7mm bolts that hold it in place, take them out and this coil looking thing will come right out, NOW INSIDE THERE IS WHERE YOUR FIRE STARTS, you see those coil wires get hot and if you reach your fingers in there, there will be all kinds of leafs, and twigs and so on, you MUST clen it all out you will be surprised how much is in there. I also take out the heater blower motor (right next to it) so I can send a vaccum hose in there because the leafs get so packed in there on the passenger side that you just can't get them out with your fingers. Hopefully this will help you guy so, we don't have any more fiero fires!
Already had one fire. Mechanics fault. Thanks John for queing me in on the leaf problem. As soon as I read it I went out and cleaned the front. That thing was packed with leaves. See the leaves inbetween the coils? And they were burnt! Then I took off the blower and reached inside and pulled out a couple more piles of leaves. I would suggest to everyone to clean that area. It only takes a few minutes.
------------------
IP: Logged
04:36 PM
PFF
System Bot
FieroGT87 Member
Posts: 3195 From: St. Louis, Mo, USA Registered: Jul 2001
Originally posted by Mach10: Sorry, but enlighten me as to how a Fiero is more prone to fires than say, a Volkswagen?
They may not be any more prone to fires than a VW, but once you have a fire the composite panels on the car will burn up with the serious quickness. You probably have about 25% of the time to contain the fire as you would with a car with metal body panels. They are definitely more prone to burn. As was stated above, the fact that the engine shares a compartment with the catalytic converter and muffler definitely makes them more prone if you have some sort of leak.
And the 84s were the worst because of those magnesium panels on the deck lid and over the battery and air filter.
------------------ Dillon Black '87 SE V6 "And this one time, on the Fiero Forum..."
IP: Logged
04:57 PM
bHooper Member
Posts: 4157 From: greensboro, nc Registered: May 99
Originally posted by DJRice: And the 84s were the worst because of those magnesium panels on the deck lid and over the battery and air filter.
The 84's were more prone to fire- but the magnesium had nothing to do with it. Pure magnesium could be a problem, but the material used was an alloy (it had other metals mixed in). So it would take an extremely high temperature (more than a normal engine fire) to actually ignite that panel.
Originally posted by JetroGT: I would suggest to everyone to clean that area. It only takes a few minutes.
Fantastic, thanks for the heads up John, and JetroGT for the pics (worth a thousand words) and the just knowing about this sort of problem and how to fix it is priceless. How do the leaves get in there? Is there someway to put in a screen to keep that from happening?
IP: Logged
08:04 PM
freedog81 Member
Posts: 240 From: Orangeburg SC Registered: Feb 2002
Thank you all for the input I think that I will use the engine and put it into my other fiero next week. I hope that I have better luck with that one. I will clean out those places before I start the engine swap. Thanks all!
IP: Logged
09:45 PM
May 9th, 2002
jscott1 Member
Posts: 21676 From: Houston, TX , USA Registered: Dec 2001
Originally posted by MinnGreenGT: And having a fire extinguisher handy... you should have one in [b]every car you drive- not just the Fiero. [/B]
I totally agree with you. I carry a fire extinguisher under the seat of my SUV. I haven't yet got one, (or two) for the Fiero, but it would be a real good idea certainly.
GMGW3, it would be really hard to do, but nothing is impossible! Let me explain how all that crap gets in there. You see the plastic cowl that your windshield wipers and the windshield wiper hose nosel sit on, well when leafs and crap get on there they get behind the screen, if you take that cowl off and look under there, there two cut outs,in there is a inlet for fresh air from the outside and (surprise any leafs and crap thats there gets sucked in) now you could put a screen over that intake but you would have to clean it , by taking that cowl everytime. Heres what I recommend 2 a year after spring and after fall, just check and clean it out for piece of mind, used the instructions from my first post on how to do it. I'm glad I could help anyone out with this fire hazard!
IP: Logged
08:29 AM
GTDude Member
Posts: 9056 From: Keysville, Virginia, USA Registered: Nov 2001
Man........I REALLY FEEL YOUR PAIN...... I had one catch on fire in the engine compartment and one with only 40k miles burn to completely up due to my ignorance....got the underside stuck and the cat caught leaves on fire......long story. You will survive...but I do know how you feel.....it really sux A$$!!!!!!!!!!!
whoa ..i just cleaned that lil compartment thingy ..i just pulled $1.15 worth of change outa there ... how it got there i have no clue ..pribibly my nephws playing around the car dripping change in it ..luckly matchbox cars cant fit down there ...
IP: Logged
12:15 PM
USFiero Member
Posts: 4877 From: Everywhere and Middle of Nowhere Registered: Mar 2002
I have toyed with the idea of an on-board fire-suppression system (directed at the engine area) that used a fire extinguisher unit activated by a NO2 solenoid and spray nozzle at the likely areas in the engine bay. It would be expensive of course, those nitrous accessories are pricey! Thanks for the heads up, unseen areas are not thought of during annual maintenance!
------------------ John DuRette 85 SE
IP: Logged
02:27 PM
Back On Holiday Member
Posts: 6238 From: Downingtown, PA Registered: Jul 2001
In the interest of protecting my Fiero, I have a question for anyone who has relocated their battery. I plan on putting in one of Archies' battery boxes and running the battery line to the back via some bulkhead bolts from Summit. I'm not crazy about running it under the car. Has anybody found a good way to fuse/circuit break the main lead? I'll probably put a fuse block in the front and use a vented battery from a VW so I can eliminate a lot of redundant wiring but keep gases out of the front compartment. Where is the best place to ground the battery? I'm thinking right at the front firewall.
------------------ John DuRette 85 SE
IP: Logged
08:45 AM
87GTBro Member
Posts: 1223 From: Edinburg,TX,USA Registered: Oct 1999
I had a fire once. But it was a brake fire. The pass. side rear caliper froze and got a little toasty. Pads caught on fire, busted the brake line and caused a mess. I was able to put the fire out before the car went up in smoke. It was a close one. Replaced entire brake system after that, and bought an extinguisher.
After reading this thread I just had to go and check my car. Thankfully I found no leaves, mice nest, or other contraband inside there. I also am convinced that I need a fire extinguisher and finally saw where to mount it. I have one, but I think its too long to fit, so tomorrow I will go and get a nice short one.
------------------
IP: Logged
09:09 PM
87V6GT Member
Posts: 771 From: Plainfield NH USA Registered: Jun 2001
Thanks guys, My sons 84 had a small fire once. After that the fan does not work. I know now where to look for the coil resistors are for the fan. Im allso going to check all of our cars for the leaf problem. Allso if you leave your cars stored outdoors,get some mothballs and put them in your cars, up front with the spare tire,on your floor mats,and all around the emgine and trunk. I know this smells bad but will save it from mice. Russ.
