E34's going up in flames

[russiankid]

So from the recent 3 incidents of E34's going up in flames, I think someone needs to contact BMW about this issue. We believe the issue is the blower motor which is what I will tell them. However, there was a fire incident several months ago, but I do not remember who it was. Does anyone know who it was?

[5mall5nail5]

So - you've stated its a 30A fuse... if that's true, its over 2x the max rated current draw if that's correct... and that's weird that they'd put a 30A fuse in there for that. Someone needs to start trying fuses lower. I would start with a 10, then that should blow hit a 15 in there, and that should NOT blow according to this diagram. Does anything else hang off the blower motor circuit that would make it need 30A? What size is the wiring to the blower motor?

[ClarkWGriswold]

BMW won't do anything about it but tell you to take it BMW for a service which you will have to pay for. Car is to old and is out of product liability.

[ArnZ]

5nail is onto something here.

[russiankid]

I'll try a 10amp and a 15amp. Do standard fuses fit?

[5mall5nail5]

BMW won't do anything about it but tell you to take it BMW for a service which you will have to pay for. Car is to old and is out of product liability.

I would expect that for a part failure or a mechanical issue. Total loss to fire is not a "service" issue. Especially when it happens from inside the dashboard.

[zubbie]

bad engineers!

wire gauge too high (thin) and fuse too big is a recipe for disaster

[russiankid]

Only thing we don't now 100% is what exactly causes the fire. Having a lower amperage fuse could possibly save the car, but its not a 100% guarantee.

[MaxSteel]

Maybe I shouldn't fix my blower motor and keep using a handheld squeegie for a defroster lulz.

[ShapeShifter]

I suggested a lower rated fuse the other day when Brody's went up.
The next I put in a 20amp fuse and it has yet blow. I drove 2 hours straight the other day with the heat on, fan set to 3. No problems.

[russiankid]

I am going to try a 10 and 15amp tomorrow.

Pat, it was #19 in the fuse box, correct?

[ShapeShifter]

I think so, I just checked the label under the cover.

[russiankid]

That is what I did, it was labeled as heater blower.

[ShapeShifter]

I think I'm going to start keeping hotdogs and marshmellows in the car.

[russiankid]

Haha. I think I will keep my heat useage to a minimum. I usually have the fan on 1 anyway, even in the summer.

[jessejames]

I suggested a lower rated fuse the other day when Brody's went up.
The next I put in a 20amp fuse and it has yet blow. I drove 2 hours straight the other day with the heat on, fan set to 3. No problems.

this is one of the best discussions I've seen on the board for quite some time
changing the fuse, what a brilliant idea...you said a 20A fuse works on speed 3.
if I remember correctly (my car is on the other side of the state at the moment),
there are 4 possible fan speeds, right? ideally we want to test for the highest fan speed.
if we can maintain a level 4 blow indefinitely, then we might have this problem fixed!

[russiankid]

this is one of the best discussions I've seen on the board for quite some time
changing the fuse, what a brilliant idea...you said a 20A fuse works on speed 3.
if I remember correctly (my car is on the other side of the state at the moment),
there are 4 possible fan speeds, right? ideally we want to test for the highest fan speed.
if we can maintain a level 4 blow indefinitely, then we might have this problem fixed!

I will be testing the fuses on setting 4. So I will go up until they stop blowing on the 4th setting.

Ideally, like Jon said, a 10amp should blow, and a 15amp should not as 12amp's is max draw.

[5mall5nail5]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmin5WkOuPw[/ame]

FWIW guys the bentley says "maximum current" - I take that as "ever". Someone pop their cowl off and measure the terminals of the blower at speed 4. It should be, according to Bentley, <=12A

[Elekta]

I think I'm going to start keeping hotdogs and marshmellows in the car.

Or a glove box sized fire extinguisher

[serIIalpine]

As far as the expiration of liability is concerned I once received a letter from LAnd Rover with the seal of HRH Queen Elizabeth on it asking me to return my 15 year old Discovery to the dealer for for a new gas tank because the one in my car was prone to bursting into flames.

They replaced my tank and put in a new fuel pump for the cost of parts only.

I didn't even have to ask.

The really funny thing is that my Disco was built while Rover was owned by BMW.

Go figure.

[5mall5nail5]

As far as the expiration of liability is concerned I once received a letter from LAnd Rover with the seal of HRH Queen Elizabeth on it asking me to return my 15 year old Discovery to the dealer for for a new gas tank because the one in my car was prone to bursting into flames.

They replaced my tank and put in a new fuel pump for the cost of parts only.

I didn't even have to ask.

The really funny thing is that my Disco was built while Rover was owned by BMW.

Go figure.

I dream of receiving a letter like that but it says "return your whole Land Rover Disco II for a refund" haha.

[serIIalpine]

I dream of receiving a letter like that but it says "return your whole Land Rover Disco II for a refund" haha.

Mine was unfortunately thrashed when I bought it but it could climb like a mountain goat and was pretty comfy and reliable. Oh Well.

[T444E]

As far as the expiration of liability is concerned I once received a letter from LAnd Rover with the seal of HRH Queen Elizabeth on it asking me to return my 15 year old Discovery to the dealer for for a new gas tank because the one in my car was prone to bursting into flames.

They replaced my tank and put in a new fuel pump for the cost of parts only.

I didn't even have to ask.

The really funny thing is that my Disco was built while Rover was owned by BMW.

Go figure.

I want a Disco in a 5 speed. Bad ass. They can be had for cheap if they are found.
Are they really as unreliable as people say?

[Brody @ Miller]

The car had a fan controle issue before I sold it. Was told the fire started in the dash. At the time 1, 2 were not working on the fan spead. thats a lot of new parts up in flames.

Hey goofy balls, I posted the pics already, there has been 3 fires lately! I may be getting a set of cheap heads to see what room we have to play with for your 540

[TheCleaner]

oops its been too long since I've been on the forums.