Heated seat fire

[Unearth078]

i want more of a conclusion or more photos, this baffles me

has your seat functioned properly all the time prior?

[bmwpower]

But i thought seat was off?

[e30slut]

i knew it

[emmick]

The fire was definitely caused by the heated seat. I took the back off and there was bare wire near where the fire started. I hooked up the battery and turned the seat on and it started smoking. I think the fire may have started on the way to work but took a long time to get going.

[emmick]

THAT SUCKS!!! I don't think heated seats started your fire either. Could you have parked it near anything that could have acted like a magnifying glass, so when the sun hit it it concentrated the beam? I have seen a glass that was curved and that caused paint to bubble because when light hit it became a concentrated beam of light.

Also, smell it does it smell like there was any kind of accelerant on it, like lighter fluid or gas? Someone who does not like you could have poured some through the crack between the soft top and window. It looks like that could be the issue because the fluid could have collected on the door, and carpet before ignition burnning that the worst.

I hope it didn't burn your top!

The top is usable. It burned through one of the straps but it still functions fine.

[emmick]

I'm gonna take the seat apart today to see what's what. I don't think anyone could have started the fire because the top and windows were up and it was locked. Maybe the guts of the seat or door panel will solve the mystery.

[JUMPNYC]

Hmm, have you thought about the timing of this? July 4th weekend = stupid kids on summer vacation with pockets full of fireworks.

Actually that makes alot of sense!!! One bottle rocket in the crack of a window would do it, or a sparkler even.
Did you look for bits of firecracker paper?

[bimmerboy08]

damn man that sucks at least the car isn't ruined though. On the plus side your ski centurion is sick, you can forget all your e30 woes on the water.

[JuanPabloBongto]

Hmm, have you thought about the timing of this? July 4th weekend = stupid kids on summer vacation with pockets full of fireworks.

[Wh33lhop]

Shit, that really sucks man. :(

Good luck fixing it all, your car will still probably smell like shit for awhile (luckily it's a vert).

[JasonC]

THAT SUCKS!!! I don't think heated seats started your fire either. Could you have parked it near anything that could have acted like a magnifying glass, so when the sun hit it it concentrated the beam? I have seen a glass that was curved and that caused paint to bubble because when light hit it became a concentrated beam of light.

I was going to say this, cause someones Camaro caught fire this way on a f-body fourm that i'm on.

[daniel]

wow, that really sucks. maybe BMW should start recalling e30s.

[pitbull09]

LOL Could it also be a case of devine intervention? Mabey it's a sign of some sort! Did you beat that poor baby? lol just kidding bro

[pitbull09]

WOW! That BLOWS! I'm still confused how that happened though. Wouldn't a fuse have blown if it did short even IF somehow power continued to go to it after the ignition was off? I think someone threw a cig on your roof and it burned through landed next to your seat or somethin? Have you pissed anyone off at work lately? Seems a little sketchy to me to be honest. Either way that still SUCKS!

GOOD LUCK MAN!

[JUMPNYC]

THAT SUCKS!!! I don't think heated seats started your fire either. Could you have parked it near anything that could have acted like a magnifying glass, so when the sun hit it it concentrated the beam? I have seen a glass that was curved and that caused paint to bubble because when light hit it became a concentrated beam of light.

Also, smell it does it smell like there was any kind of accelerant on it, like lighter fluid or gas? Someone who does not like you could have poured some through the crack between the soft top and window. It looks like that could be the issue because the fluid could have collected on the door, and carpet before ignition burnning that the worst.

I hope it didn't burn your top!