Miata Mailing List: December 1996, Message #52
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   From: (none)

Subject: was locks, now fire in MX5

   Date: (none)



Just thought I would pass this little warning on..



On the subject of locked or unlocked, I said that I left my car unlocked but 

sometimes locked the console because the boot release was in there.

Well, yesterday on a run from Brisbane to Byron Bay, after a very spirited

section, we stopped for a regroup (23 cars) and I went to open my boot.  My

BRG had an electric boot release when I got it used, but I guess that it is a

retrofit factory job.  The button became stuck in the in(open) position and

the boot did not open.  Couldn't even use the key to open. 



I did not worry too much, and as it turned out I should have.  About 3 minutes 

after taking off, the conversation in the car became :-

Andrew: Is something burning?

Ted: (who cannot smell real well)NAH!!

5 minutes later

Andrew:Something is burning

Ted: Its probably a cane burning area!  Maybe its that white MX5 in front!

2 minutes later

Ted: Oh $#^^&%&#$, we're on fire (as smoke comes pouring out of the dash area)



We picked it up pretty quick to be an electrical fire, and the boot release

popped to mind, and YES it was that.  The button was stuck in and must have

burnt the motor.  I don't know if the motor is cooked fully or not, but it may

not be seeing there was an inline fuse.  the smoke was caused by a bit of

electrical tape catching alight, about 6" from the battery!!!!

Seeing there was a fuse, it should have blown thus opening the circuit.  Well,

it blew alright but the damage was already done.  Talking to a couple of well

versed club members, they informed me that this had been seen before.  Loch

Stewart explained that Mazda puts in a 20A fuse, which by the time it blows

has caused enough damage.  He recommended putting in a 10A fuse.  This little

black (well and truly) duck will be seriously contemplating not having a boot

release at all after this.



So if you do have an electric boot release, then check the condition of the

switch, check the fuse and hopefully you wont have a smoking MX5.



Heartfelt thanks to the other club members, especially those who turned around

and waited for me to get the car going(Mike & Kate, Henri & Maureen, David &

Nadine).  MX5 people truly are a cool bunch!! who can adapt to anything

(given the spectacle of a impromptu dancing lesson in the middle of the road in

the middle of nowhere!!)



TEd

PS Other than that, it was a top run, with some excellent roads.  Must also 

thank Stephen Kovacs for organizing the run, and "Running" with me at the 

front.  I think that 4WD driver got a shock to see 2 sideways MX5 coming at

him.

-- 

-----------------------@____@--------------------------------------------------

     __/~>              `--'            Ted Looi, Network/Host Security,

  _/{___}                               DPI, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

    /\ /\   '86 Seca AE82 4AGE "SXTC"

            '91 MX5 BRG                 ted@dpi.qld.gov.au   "TALK TO ME"



$ R we there yet?? Nope... R we there yet?? Nope... R we there yet?? Nope...

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