<VV> Engine Fire

[Jeffrey B. Aronson]

I had an engine fire in my '80 TR-7 about 4 years ago. In a major 
downpour, I started the car and noted "steam" rising from the closed 
hood. When I smelled the smoke inside the car, I opened the hood, stood 
out in the rain and removed the battery terminal.

The damage was to the wiring loom which pretty much melted away from the 
firewall forward. A clever Land Rove restoration shop agreed to help me 
out. The owner had me cut all the melted wiring from the firewall, 
remove all the wires and clips, and get out my schematic diagram. He had 
all the right colored wiring, remade the loom, and then had me install 
it. He then soldered the new loom to the existing harness, then melted 
shrink tubes over it all, and it's been working great ever since then.

The problem was likely a dead short in the alternator; you could see it 
because that wiring was the most molten. If the reason for your fire was 
the wiring, and if you got to it quickly enough, the damage should not 
be that great.

Good luck!

Jeff Aronson
Vinalhaven, ME