Starter causes fire

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I believe we did have someone with a 100 with that issue.

I can't remember whom....e9999 maybe?
 
when i was younger :D i remember the neighbor's diagonally across the street from our house, had a porsche that caught fire in the garage and burned the entire house down. They lost everything! :'( So i would consider yourself somewhat lucky.
 
Similar story, but in a '79 Blazer. Starter had been messed up for months (poorly shimmed), but I was too clueless and lazy to fix it. One day in the Wal-Mart parking lot, the starter just kept going and going (and of course I was right up front in a great parking spot so dozens of gawkers could get a free show).

I had no tools with me except a pair of wire cutters - so I jumped out, threw open the hood, and cut the battery cable, just as smoke started to pour out of the starter. Got by pretty lucky on that one.
 
I have a battery disconnect on mine from Sears. I got it to account for the fact that the battery cables needed a couple more inches to fit a new DieHard where the posts were in slightly different locations. Worked well and cost about $10. I've already changed my contacts, but this little item could alleviate concerns for others as it takes about 5 seconds to disconnect the battery.

DougM
 
what side is best to put this on, Doug?
manual always talking about disconnecting the Neg...
E
 
Mine's on the positive side. I can't recall, but this must have been forced by the positive lead being the one that needed to be lengthened. The disconnect knob is black plastic but I painted it red to reduce confusion if the truck's ever being jumped and I'm not there to do it.

DougM
 
Update - how people help each other

Until the starter fire, my wife has referred to my time on this BB as "cruiser porn" but now she has a different perspective...she just told me to tell all of you that she feels she has a whole network of uncles she never knew she had. She was truely relieved, and suprised, at how all of you helped, and cared about somebody you've never met.

Since I was travelling this week, we had to tow her 80 to a local shop. Damages include: toasted battery & starter, burnt oil level wire, shorted oil level sensor, toasted battery/starter cable, melted portion of engine wiring harness. We don't have a total yet, but it's easily over $1500 in parts and labor. No matter your financial situation, that's a lot o' moola.

She called me (in a bit of a panic, due to the $$'s) and asked if C-DAn could help. I was in a customer meeting, so she called him. He took great care of her (she said she want's to marry him!). His wife is named Sarah, as is my wife. Not sure what that means, but I'm pretty sure it's just part of the gestalt.

Phaedrus suggested that the comprehensive part of our insurance could help. My wife called the insurance co, and sure enough, this will cover a lot.

So I kinda blew it by not paying more attention to the symptoms when my wife first described them. She, honest women that she is, admits that she didn't do a very good job describing the problem. Despite our mistakes, all of you jumped in to offer your advice and help.

Thankyou!

We have two kids (12 & 17) and talked about this at dinner tonight. I told them about the cruiser assistance club. My wife and kids were all amazed. Quote - "you mean there are people that we could just call if we got stuck and they'd help us out?"

"Are we on this list Dad" - "yep" - "cool"

The only downside is that my wife is driving a POS 87 blazer as a loaner from my dad. My 87 fj60 w/275,000 miles is in better shape than his blazer w/45,000 miles (he doesn't drive a lot.)

Peace and good fortune to all.
 
One post like this every year and I'm a lifer. Thanks for the update, Doug.

DougM
 
The CAC rocks! Glad the forum was a help to you and yours.

Anyone ever need hand in Atlanta, you just let me know.
 
Doug,

>> (she said she want's to marry him!). <<

Dan's from Utah so I'm sure that would be OK with him as long as she'll bring the Cruiser with her. I've heard him say a thousand times... "A man can never have too many Sara's"

:D

-B-
 
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My Sarah came complete with her own 4WD, scoped rifle and a bird dog. :D

....and a '69 GMC pickup, VW baja, 2 motorcycles.......
 
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