Well that went well-NOT!

[Steveb]

As previously mentioned I bought a BMW 318i estate W reg.
Did initially on the test drive have a problem with the heater fans-bloke changed the hedgehog-made no difference for a while and then started working. Possibly dodgy relay.

Out in it yesterday and the bloody central locking starts playing up-a well known fault with relays on the GM5 board. drivers door could only be opened. Pissed off but thought I'd solder a couple of new relays in.

Took the Mrs and Dogs out-luckily doors worked-dropped them off and went to get some petrol.
On the way could smell a little burning-suddenly clouds of smoke appear from behind the dashboard. I parked up and jumped out-smoke fucking everywhere.

Called the fire brigade-luckily they were there within 10 mins-smoke had subsided by then-they checked it over and left. Towed it home with my Range Rover

Called the bloke I bought it off-and this is where I get very, very lucky-he came straight over and gave me my money back-let me keep the car as along as I scrap it and keep the scrap money for out of pocket expenses. Fucking lucky.
We had a look and all we could assume was that the cheap hedgehog he bought off ebay had gone up.

All ok apart from 10 years off my fucking life.

Looking for a Focus estate now to replace the knackered BMW which replaced the Knackered Focus.

[DodgeRover]

That was incredibly generous, I would guess the heater fan may have been seized and that set fire to part of the loom of it was turned on.

Cut the cat off before weighing in.

[LynehamHerc]

As you say you were very lucky with the doors suddenly working and then getting your money back.

[Drum]

Sounds fun.
Good job getting your money back.

[Steveb]

Sounds fun.
Good job getting your money back.

Fun At least 10 years off my life.

[Hooli]

Ahh that's entertainment

[Drum]

I had a mk2 escort fill up with smoke from behind the dash once. It was not long after I had wired in a Saisho radio/cassette (I was 17 and in a hurry).

You never forget the stench of burning wire insulation.

[treehugger]

That's a shame, aren't they the one with the bulletproof engine? Or is that the earlier ones?

[SiC]

Yup that's the same problem with cheap resistor packs for fans too. I paid extra for a Febi branded part for the Fabia. Still smelt a little on first use but not likely to burn out quite the same way.

Did that hedgehog pack do any actual damage? I'd thought it would have just been the drive electronics that have failed (rather than like a resistor pack). Probably the fan motor is seized and acted as a short across it. Controller got too hot, overheated and failed.

[mercrocker]

Glad about the outcome for you if not the actual incident.