Just had an interior fire caused by an electrical short...... VW's reply sucks!!

[Polo6n1600i]

Went out shopping with my wife, 2 kids in the car & our new dog. We sat in the car at tickover while the mrs went out to get the shopping.

Started to smell that acrid electrical fire smell. But couldn't pin point where it was coming from, until swmbo opened her door and she said she could see orange sparks/flames from behind the centre console/under the glovebox. I quickly turned off the key, got the kids & dog out of the car. There was bits of melted plastic dripping onto the removable side trims. Managed to get into it and just blow it out.

Looks like a melted earth point to me??

Any help would be appreciated - I thinking it's maybe one of the earth points for the radio?? However after isolating the damaged wire from the snapped connector - everything still works, with no warning lights

Pics from p/s footwell, up the back of the centre console behind where the heater controls are.



I unbolted the earth connector and removed it.

[Edition_slim]

Looks like you were really lucky mate.
That is an earth point, is there white corrosion on the earth nut or is that just the flash?

[Polo6n1600i]

There is a little discolouration on the nut, and the earth cable has melted right through where it's been crimped to the connector.

My mrs & kids actually were launched clean out if the car & weren't too happy to be thrown out of the car in the rain. After I explained why - I was forgiven!!

[Jonathon555]

I would disconnect the battery tonight

Suprised it did not blow a fuse first

Glad its ok

[Polo6n1600i]

Never even thought of that!! (Heads out to the parents place now)

[Eddie-NL]

Is your car a diesel?

could be the Electric Aux heater

[Polo6n1600i]

Jetta 2.0tdi bkd.

Just come back from parents place. It's definitely an earth, checked continuity with a multimeter.

I got a better picture of its location too.


The black and red wire below the thread stud/earth point that shorted. Is the power feed for the heater flaps motor. The wire that shorted out is a cable bringing the earth connection to this point on the car. My question is wtf does it do??

[doylebros]

As Eddie says looks as though you've got an auxiliary heat fitted!

If you've ever had a scan with VCDS look back at it and it will have an Auxiliary Module listed.

Basically, it gets the internal car heating up to temperature quickly for those who use diesels on short journeys in cold weather!

[xjay1337]

Not that I noticed it EVER do anything in my TDI.

[Edition_slim]

Is there any damage/ chaffing to the red/black wire?

[Polo6n1600i]

No damage to any other wiring.

Makes sense, we have had a few Baltic mornings up here the last few days & I did turn the heating upto full just before all this kicked off - it's possible the wiring has been damaged for ages. But the aux hasn't kicked in since earlier this year!!!

I'll get stuck in about it on my next day off and repair the loom.

[G40will]

I didn't even know there was such a thing as an auxiliary heater!

But now you mention it I'm sure I can feel warmth when I've set the blowers on the screen with ac on only a few minutes after starting the car.

[Polo6n1600i]

Just been browsing the net - there should have been a recall for issues with the AUX heater???? Is this right??

[Polo6n1600i]

Car Recall Results
Recall notices for this model
Volkswagen
Search results  (1–2 of 2)       New search
Recall:   No. 1 of 2
Recall Ref:   R/2008/009
Exact Model:   Jetta and Golf Estate with diesel engine
Description:   FIRE MAY OCCUR
VIN:   
Build Date:   8/1/07 to 9/1/07
Numbers:   10441
Defect:   The contact resistance on the earth connection of the heating element for the additional air heater can exceed specification. This could lead to excessive heat developing in the connection area of the cable, which could result in localised scorching. However, if not rectified, this could result in a vehicle fire.
Action:   Recall all affected vehicles and check the torque on the earth connection.
Launch Date:   29 January 2008

[Frodo-anni]

Sure a call to the local dealer will tell you if it has been recalled and if not if they can sort it.