Is it possible that my van ' Dodge Grand Caravan...
Dear Tom and Ray:
Is it possible that my van ('94 Dodge Grand Caravan) burned on its own? Or was it vandalized? The whole engine compartment burned up. I hadn't driven it since 4 p.m., and at 3 a.m. my daughter woke me up to tell me that the front yard was on fire (it was actually my van in the driveway). Can a vehicle spontaneously combust? -- Chaya
RAY: Yes it can, Chaya. It's actually not spontaneous, but it would seem that way to you.
TOM: Cars usually catch fire because a wire gets chafed somewhere. The initial damage happens most often during an accident or a subpar post-accident body repair. But it can also happen during regular engine repairs or when a misrouted wire harness has its insulation rubbed away by another part of the car.
RAY: Once the bare wire is sufficiently exposed, it can short out against the car's body or frame and then start drawing current from your battery.
TOM: And if it draws enough current over a long enough time, it can generate enough heat to make the wire's insulation smolder. And from there, it's a short leap to igniting surrounding parts, the fuel line and the front lawn.
RAY: I'd say vandalism is very unlikely in this case, Chaya. Especially since the fire was in the engine compartment. I think it was just bad luck.
TOM: So just be glad that you and your daughter were both unhurt and that the only casualty of the whole affair was a 1994 Caravan. I think that's what doctors would call "an extremely positive outcome."
Is it possible that my van ('94 Dodge Grand Caravan) burned on its own? Or was it vandalized? The whole engine compartment burned up. I hadn't driven it since 4 p.m., and at 3 a.m. my daughter woke me up to tell me that the front yard was on fire (it was actually my van in the driveway). Can a vehicle spontaneously combust? -- Chaya
RAY: Yes it can, Chaya. It's actually not spontaneous, but it would seem that way to you.
TOM: Cars usually catch fire because a wire gets chafed somewhere. The initial damage happens most often during an accident or a subpar post-accident body repair. But it can also happen during regular engine repairs or when a misrouted wire harness has its insulation rubbed away by another part of the car.
RAY: Once the bare wire is sufficiently exposed, it can short out against the car's body or frame and then start drawing current from your battery.
TOM: And if it draws enough current over a long enough time, it can generate enough heat to make the wire's insulation smolder. And from there, it's a short leap to igniting surrounding parts, the fuel line and the front lawn.
RAY: I'd say vandalism is very unlikely in this case, Chaya. Especially since the fire was in the engine compartment. I think it was just bad luck.
TOM: So just be glad that you and your daughter were both unhurt and that the only casualty of the whole affair was a 1994 Caravan. I think that's what doctors would call "an extremely positive outcome."
