SMBC (spontaneous Mercedes combustion)
 

She got home from work and there was a "buzzing" coming from someplace around/in back of the radio or lower dash area. She goes in for the evening. Next morning when she comes out to get into her pristine "82", auto, 240D, it looked like someone had done a "supper tint" job on the glass. The car had caught fire and things were melted including the fwd, inboard front seats corners to and including the dash. I bought the car from this unfortunate lady this morning and will bring it home tomorrow. Theres no rust or dents in the car, bout made me cry when I saw it (and smelt it:eek: ) The engine is good, which is why I bought it, but I think theres no saving the rest of it. I'm not sure but I think the carpets and things that did'nt get melted will always stink of the fire, and its real nasty:eek: Anyone hear of such a thing, I know there is one member here whose car caught fire.

The same exact thing happened to a mint 1965 220SE in my area in the mid '80s. The owner spent 10k at the time to restore the interior and replace the broken glass. A shorted aftermarket radio caused the fire. He was real sorry he let Joe Schmo at the stereo shop replace his radio.

I heard a story (today actually) about someone who burned down their 80s vintage BMW with a loose coin. Some of those cars had a rechargeable flashlight that plugged into a socket in the glove box. This guy tossed some coins into the glove box while driving and shorted out these contacts. Apparently it started a fire in the wiring under the dash.

I was thinking some relay which the "buzzing" suggests, might be the culprit in this case.

It seems obvious that something shorted out, but it would have to be something that's energized with the ignition off. :confused:

Yikes! I'm pulling the non-opperational aftermarket deck from my project car before I put the batteryback in!

And unfused or fused with too big a fuse....

Happens to W126's a lot. Saw a 420SEL go up.:(

Some people don't clean between the fire walls, and dry leave build up. One spark and the whole car goes up.