While leaving NYC this evening I hit the recirculate switch (before the tunnel) for perhapes the first time ever and the car burst into flames, well at least a relay or control unit of some kind did.

It is located on the drivers side way up behind the break vacume booster. This device had three wires two of which were at least twelve to thirteen gauge.

I've been having trouble with the ACC and have a replacement to change it. But since this event I believe the blowers have completely stopped. Before this they could be depended on to blow hard at startup for a while.

Can anyone tell me what this might be and what else I should be checking? Perhaps the part number.

Thanks,


------------------
-Mike
'87 300TD Turbo

Mike

It is the blower speed control connector. Black, red & yellow wires, correct? I have no idea why it would catch fire and melt down or what effect this short would have on other ACC components. I'll let others more competent than me address that.

------------------
Robby Ackerman
Candidate Mid-Atlantic Regional Director
Past President
Virginia Section MBCA

I cleaned up the mess and ran some splices straight through. I also ran an in-line fuse on the wire that was getting hot. The 20amp fuse burned, but 25amp has worked since.

Tom Hanson mentioned that there was a fuse upgrade for this vehicle which sounds like what I've done.

Could this be the result of a bad blower speed control unit. Any good way to test that? BTW, the blower speed works properly now that I've replaced the climate control unit.


------------------
-Mike
'87 300TD Turbo