Small Electrtical Fire. - What The Hell Caused It!

[axnutty 10]

Had a small electrical fire the other month and only just got round to having a look at it.

 

Cars been laid up over winter so pretty damp. I drove it from a workshop back to my house a couple of miles away, flicked on the lights and within a minute of steady driving got that wisp of smoke and acrid smell eminating from the dash. A relay started chattering in the fuse box too. I flicked the lights down to sidelights (just incase they had anything to do with it, but they had been on for a minute before any of this happened) and rushed home the last mile and parked her up. Ive just come to investigate and remove the dash. Thinking id find the loom in tatters, it all looks ok with the exception of the large resistor on the back of the dash clocks!

 

What would make a resistor blow? A surge in power surely? Also, what does the resistor relate too on the clocks, has anyone else known this to blow before?

 

I dont think the clocks or indeed resistor are the fault rather the effect, but anyone got any advice on places or things to check?!

[madspikes 41 1 Cars]

Not sure what caused your fire, but a lose connection, or a relay latching, and unlatching making and unmaking a connection quickly lots of time can get very hot very quickly. I had the rear demister relay in the saxo nearly catch fire on me, when I pulled it out the was all brown and melted to the relay board.

 

Mad.

[axnutty 10]

Checked relays and they visually look to be ok. I appriciate what your saying though.

 

Does no one know what the reisitor on the back of the dash clocks does?