Fiery (literally) Italian temperament

[Slowly]

Sorry to bounce the Italian temperament thread with a new one (I couldn't edit the title to reflect this, a new and far worse development).. the audio died with the head unit still working so the slave amp sounded like the culprit, but I didn't get a chance to take out the battery and check its fuse until...

Well, not having been too fussed by lack of audio I took an acute interest this morning. Switched on the isolator switch as usual and got the car out of the garage. Within about a minute there was a bad electrical smell and a wisp or two of smoke coming from behind the parcel shelf area. On opening the boot to switch off the isolator switch again as a first move, more smoke and, from behind and a little forward of the battery, flames. After turning the switch and a few hard puffs (and inhalation of some nasty smoke) I managed to blow out the flames. On removing the battery the source of the fire is the right hand/lower of the two connector blocks in the photo (there's also that nasty white powder - looks battery acid related though the battery itself is fine, so this may date from a previous one - I've not had the car very long and not had the battery out before). Presumably the loss of audio was an early sign of a short in this block rather than the amp itself.

Qu: Anyone know if this set of wires is all audio-related or something more important? Clearly I'll have to get the car moved from the double yellow lines it is on to a garage on a trailer after the w/e as I dare not turn the power on again to drive it anywhere - or, though that's not as important, get the driver's window to shut fully - turning off the isolator was my first priority rather than shutting the door! I've put some pipe insulation in the gap as a temporary anti-rain ingress measure.

Oh, and though it is also not important, is that the original slave amp?

 

[Wack61]

Can't help with the questions but that was a lucky escape, if it'd happened while you were moving it could have got a lot worse before you noticed it

 

[Assetto 52]

Hi
I personally would separate all the wires in the connector block isolate them individually check for any other overheating if all looks Ok power the car up,as for working out the wiring and where it goes you may be right about the amp causing the issue but you need the electrical schematics for the car which should be relatively easy to get then its just a matter of working it out.

 

[Slowly]

Many thanks, but have realised that there's little prospect of me getting the time to do anything and need to get the car off the double yellows so will give a highly recommended independent a call tomorrow and get it trailered down to them if they can take it... a fine present from the GS!

 

[safrane]

wires

As per my PM.

These are the ASK Amp wires.



As you may be able to make out the two blocks on the left are the input and output to and from the amp. Their corresponding connection in the loom can be joined together to complete the circuit and bypass the amp if it is these wires that are damaged.

 

[Slowly]

Many thanks, yes, it looks as if 1) I have the OEM amp and 2) that it may well be the unfused of the two loom ends which has autocombusted. I'll feed back when I discover.

 

[Slowly]

Feedback as promised. First many thanks to all at Emblem for being able to fit me in and sorting everything out. They've won a long term customer.

Fortunately the source of the fire was the pair of connectors for the slave amp loom which Safrane (thanks) illustrates above and though the flames started to melt the insulation for the main loom overhead they didn't do any more than superficial damage to the outer insulation on that. The amp was fine; Maplin solar trickle charger + regulator had been overcharging the battery, causing acid to escape (unable to get out through a kinked escape tube) which then corroded the connectors, resulting in the fire. Interestingly removal of the amp doesn't seem to make an enormous difference to the sound from the standard head unit, so if I want to replace that in order to have DAB and mobile connectivity then the usual 4 x 50W output of modern units I am sure will be sufficient.

Next for the long list of other things which, on an 8-9 yr old car will need attention in due course!

 

[safrane]

Pleased to hear about there is no long term problems.

Im not surprised the sound is not much different with the ASK amp removed...the unit is cheap and nasty but a replacement is £800+ vat. I opted for my upgraded system with Sat Nav screen, DVD MP3 etc for far less.

 

[voicey]

This is why I always fit AGM batteries when they are housed inside the car.

OP - you should buy a lottery ticket....

EDIT: Here's some info on that crappy ASK amplifier (they are also fitted to Ferraris of the same era): http://aldousvoice.com/2015/03/21/ferrari-360-f430-hi-fi-sound-system/

 

[Contigo]

Yes Glass Matt or wet gel batteries unless they are vented properly

 

[Slowly]

Thanks, interesting - aldousvoice is certainly an enthusiast! The battery was the Maserati branded one; it now has a new Bosch S4008 which is, I assume, standard flooded type. I'd not heard of the alternatives. When I need a replacement I'll look into AGM / wet gel - I see that they are less tolerant of overcharging etc (not that I'll be using my solar charger again!). Are they direct replacements?

The lottery ticket because I was lucky or because of the amount I'll need to keep the GS going?! Of course, like that classy lady from Worcester, I had the other £33M winning one, but 4 of the 5 identifier codes / numbers got damaged by the acid and fire