Date:         Mon, 9 May 2005 10:10:17 -0400
Reply-To:     Christopher Gronski <gronski@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Christopher Gronski <gronski@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Engine Compartment Fire - Brake Lights Not Working
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Well I never thought this would happen to me but it did. I have been
paranoid about fire and had the fuel lines replaced in both westies I
have owned as a precaution. Nevertheless, here is what happened:

I was driving down Toronto's Gardiner expressway, which is an elevated
freeway with no shoulder. My van suddenly lost power, it sort of felt
as though it was running out of gas. Luckily I had been going about 60
mph so I had enough inertia to coast to an area where I could safely
pull off.

When I looked in my rear view mirror, I could see something coming up
the rear window. I was not sure if it was smoke or steam (I had a
coolant pipe break once and it looked similar) but grabbed my 5lb
Halon extinguisher as I exited the van.

When I got to the back I could actually see flames licking out of the
bottom holes of the bottom of the vehicle. I popped open the licence
plate and shot the extinguisher inside, the fire went out immediately.
Then I pulled off the rear cushion and opened the engine compartment.

It appears as though the main wired leading to the distributor cap
broke off. With the wire loose, and likely sparking, it ignited
something flammable in the engine compartment. I'm still not sure what
actually started it, as I am sure it needed an accelerate. The only
thing that I know burned was the foam from the back of the licence
plate.

Beyond that the damage was minimal, I really feel like I got off easy.
The wiring between the tail lamps was slightly damaged and the coolant
overflow tank was a bit melted. I brought it to Alpine Motors near
King and John Streets and they replaced the carp wire and rotors, the
coolant tank, and did some taping of the wiring.

Before leaving the shop I checked my signals, running lights, and
hazards but NOT my break lights (hard to do yourself, and with all the
other stuff working I kind of just assumed they were OK).

The other day some kind motorist told me I had no brake lights at a
stoplight. I don't really feel like trekking all the way back to
Toronto (I live in London now) to have the shop look at the break
lights. I was hoping that you listees may have some insight as to how
to start troubleshooting. It isn't the bulbs or the fuses.

Thanks,
Chris