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PostPosted: Wed Oct 14, 2015 4:30 pm 
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SE Member
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Joined: Tue Dec 15, 2009 12:23 pm
Posts: 11
Year and Trim: 1988 SSE
The electronic trunk release heated up and started a fire in the trunk melting all wiring and burning the carpet and plastic. I would have thought a fuse should have blown before heating up and starting a fire. Melted the cable so the trunk would not open with the button or with the key. When smoke started coming into the back seat area of the car, opened up trap door in back seat to trunk area and flames were about 10 inches high. Used some squirt bottles to put out flames and called Fire Dept. They pried the trunk open with crowbar and finished putting out all fire and carpet. Anyone know why this would have happened or how to prevent it from happening again.
Thanks for any info or help!


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PostPosted: Wed Oct 14, 2015 4:40 pm 
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Resident Gearhead
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Joined: Wed Apr 01, 2009 7:11 pm
Posts: 2594
Location: Alberta, Canada
Year and Trim: 2004 GXP, 2008 STS, 2020 XT6
That's terrible! It sounds like there is quite a bit of damage between the fire and having the trunk pried open. Just curious... did you have and/or try a key to open the trunk?

Start by checking the fuse for the circuit the trunk release is on to ensure it's the correct amperage and no one has modified the circuit in any way (adding other accessories, etc).

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RainSense Wipers, Backup Camera, '00 Style Door Panel Courtesy Lights, Heated Washer Solvent, 2X Remote Trunk Release,
Turn Signal Mirrors, Center Console Courtesy Lamp, Rear Outboard Heated Seats, PVD Chrome 18" Factory Rims, Upgraded
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PostPosted: Fri Oct 16, 2015 4:23 pm 
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SE Member
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Joined: Tue Dec 15, 2009 12:23 pm
Posts: 11
Year and Trim: 1988 SSE
I tried the key to open the trunk with the key, but the key switch attaches to a cable that goes to the trunk latch release. When the fire started, it melted the cable so the key would not open the trunk. The fuse is correct and no accessories have been added to the car. I spoke with GM claim representative and he requested I send photos of the car and the fire report from the Fire Department that responded. He mentioned several times that the car was 19 years old, but I told him it could have killed someone if the fire had spread and could have burned down the house the car was parked beside.


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PostPosted: Fri Oct 16, 2015 5:02 pm 
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Resident Gearhead
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Joined: Wed Apr 01, 2009 7:11 pm
Posts: 2594
Location: Alberta, Canada
Year and Trim: 2004 GXP, 2008 STS, 2020 XT6
You should also contact the NHTSA.

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Image

Bose Luxury Sound System w/Touch Screen Navigation, Addition of Factory XM, 2005 MY Antenna, OnStar Upgrade (3G),
RainSense Wipers, Backup Camera, '00 Style Door Panel Courtesy Lights, Heated Washer Solvent, 2X Remote Trunk Release,
Turn Signal Mirrors, Center Console Courtesy Lamp, Rear Outboard Heated Seats, PVD Chrome 18" Factory Rims, Upgraded
Carbon Fibre Appearance Interior Trim, Highly Modified Main Body Harness, Instrument Panel, Door, Door Panel & Headliner
Wiring Harnesses, Custom Fuse Box & Tire and Loading Information Decals, Additional Acoustic Insulation


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PostPosted: Fri Oct 16, 2015 6:03 pm 
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Certified Bonneville Nut
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Joined: Tue May 04, 2010 11:21 pm
Posts: 3975
Location: Lone Star State
Year and Trim: 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
ddalder wrote:
You should also contact the NHTSA.

This is a MUST DO ACTION ITEM. - BC

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In Memory of Brad - 1/21/1977 .. 10/23/2013 ...... Aaron - 1977 .. 2017 .....
2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport ..... 1992 Bonneville SSE 1SB 170 HP L27 4T60E retired/sold to MattStrike ..... 2005 Bonneville SE 1SC 205 HP L36 4T65E - retired/salvage yard ..... PBCF user 2321


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PostPosted: Fri Oct 16, 2015 10:23 pm 
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Joined: Tue May 27, 2008 8:53 am
Posts: 5403
Location: Las Cruces, NM
Year and Trim: 1993 Buick Park Avenue
1994 Buick Regal Custom
I have to admit, this is a first that I know of.

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PostPosted: Sat Oct 17, 2015 1:23 am 
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Resident Gearhead
Resident Gearhead

Joined: Wed Apr 01, 2009 7:11 pm
Posts: 2594
Location: Alberta, Canada
Year and Trim: 2004 GXP, 2008 STS, 2020 XT6
I suspect the fire department did not identify the root cause. These can sometimes be tricky. We had a new Tahoe burn up at work and ended up hiring a fire investigator familiar with this type of event to identify the ultimate cause. As it turned out, my thoughts were correct only I don't have certification in this field to put anything official on paper. Ours was not an OEM fault.

_________________
Image

Bose Luxury Sound System w/Touch Screen Navigation, Addition of Factory XM, 2005 MY Antenna, OnStar Upgrade (3G),
RainSense Wipers, Backup Camera, '00 Style Door Panel Courtesy Lights, Heated Washer Solvent, 2X Remote Trunk Release,
Turn Signal Mirrors, Center Console Courtesy Lamp, Rear Outboard Heated Seats, PVD Chrome 18" Factory Rims, Upgraded
Carbon Fibre Appearance Interior Trim, Highly Modified Main Body Harness, Instrument Panel, Door, Door Panel & Headliner
Wiring Harnesses, Custom Fuse Box & Tire and Loading Information Decals, Additional Acoustic Insulation


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