Dash destroyed in electrical fire. - Toyota Yaris Forums

ozmdd · 11-04-2008, 03:18 PM

I have to seriously contest the flashlight battery theory. A couple of problems: there should be soot/melting directly above the flashlight, and the tray itself should have melted substantially; the flashlight should show significant damage, yet appears basically unscathed. Also, that flashlight appears to be one of the aluminum screw-together type, which would be at least semi-waterproof. It would need to burst somewhere at its seams or at the lens, which also doesn't appear to have happened. Finally, alkaline batteries are safe at temperatures of 180 degrees Farenheit plus, and it would be tough to produce that even here in Dallas in August.

Anecdotally, I have kept a mini maglight and a 6V lantern in my car/trunk for most of the past 20 years in Texas, including in a black CRV, and never had the slightest hint of heat damage/leakage/combustion. Also, my brother used a maglight in Afghanistan and Iraq, where temperatures routinely exceeded 120 degrees farenheit AIR temp. No idea what that translates to inside a dark-colored, armored and sealed HumVee sitting in the sun all day, but no flashlights exploded.
One other thing: I don;t know about Aussie Toyotas, but US Yarii have the 12V outlet wired to the ignition, so no power would flow to the GPS when the key was out.

darthbauer · 11-04-2008, 03:29 PM

Did you have a car charger for your mobile phone in there?

I remember one time with my old Accord that it got so hot it sparked. I unplugged it and never used it in the car again.

rob323 · 11-04-2008, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozmdd

One other thing: I don;t know about Aussie Toyotas, but US Yarii have the 12V outlet wired to the ignition, so no power would flow to the GPS when the key was out.

That is the case in Australia as well.

auxmike · 11-06-2008, 01:02 AM

Did the flashlight use Lithium batteries?
I have a small Streamlight Scorpion in my glovebox right now. I left it on while it was standing upright on it's lens on a table, the lens started to melt! Those lights run HOT. After seeing this, I'm removing my Scorp from the car in the morning.....

purpleminx · 11-06-2008, 05:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by auxmike

Did the flashlight use Lithium batteries?

No, and it was nothing to do with the flashlight.

Quote:

Originally Posted by k r a y z e e . j o j o

Did you leave your phone hooked up to it? Ask because the back of my phone gets kinda hot when it's been charging for an hour or so. Just a possibility...

No, and it didn't have power going through the cable anyway, considering I was not in the car, so the keys weren't either ;)

Very close right now to finding the cause. Will definitely post their answers.

SilverBack · 11-06-2008, 07:31 PM

Hmm, that's a stumper...

firemachine69 · 11-09-2008, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by auxmike

Did the flashlight use Lithium batteries?
I have a small Streamlight Scorpion in my glovebox right now. I left it on while it was standing upright on it's lens on a table, the lens started to melt! Those lights run HOT. After seeing this, I'm removing my Scorp from the car in the morning.....

I'd check to see that your Scorp is legit. IIRC, they have a glass lense.

auxmike · 11-09-2008, 01:57 PM

About the Streamlight;
The lens appears to be a clear plastic of some sort. I bought it from Texas Tactical Supply, it's the real deal. Nice torch, but it eats through Li batts. like crazy....

After reading this thread, I went right to the glovebox and removed it from the YARIS.

I'll be using an LED MiniMag from now on.

rob323 · 12-10-2008, 04:37 PM

Purpleminx, any updates on whether the cause of the fire was pinpointed yet?

YarisSedan · 12-12-2008, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by auxmike

About the Streamlight;
The lens appears to be a clear plastic of some sort. I bought it from Texas Tactical Supply, it's the real deal. Nice torch, but it eats through Li batts. like crazy....

After reading this thread, I went right to the glovebox and removed it from the YARIS.

I'll be using an LED MiniMag from now on.

http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/cosll7742.html

I am a mechanic and keep this on my belt every day. Lasts about 2 weeks before i needs to be charged. Keep in mind it has daily use sometimes for a hour at a time. And have had it for a year so far. Battery hasnt really got weak yet. And its insanely bright. Its dropped on the floor multiple times and got run over by a car too =).

Shroomster · 12-12-2008, 01:46 AM

I want an update purpleminx

11-04-2008, 03:29 PM	#2
darthbauer Not really here... Drives: 2008 Blazing Blue S hatchback Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: USA Posts: 1,062	Did you have a car charger for your mobile phone in there? I remember one time with my old Accord that it got so hot it sparked. I unplugged it and never used it in the car again. __________________ Liberate Tutemet Ex Infernis.

11-06-2008, 07:31 PM	#6
SilverBack Joey View User's Garage Drives: '14 Scion xD 5-speed Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: El Monte, Ca Posts: 3,529	Hmm, that's a stumper... __________________ Formerly owned Met-Met. '07 Yaris LB 5-speed. A forum post should be like a skirt: Long enough to cover the subject but short enough to keep things interesting. "I don't have an anger problem. I have an idiot problem." -Hank Hill

11-09-2008, 01:57 PM	#8
auxmike Drives: 2008 HB, A/T, Power W/L/M Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: LI, New Yawk Posts: 2,063	About the Streamlight; The lens appears to be a clear plastic of some sort. I bought it from Texas Tactical Supply, it's the real deal. Nice torch, but it eats through Li batts. like crazy.... After reading this thread, I went right to the glovebox and removed it from the YARIS. I'll be using an LED MiniMag from now on. Attached Images

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11-04-2008, 03:18 PM	#1
ozmdd Reluctantly Crouched... Drives: 2008 Yaris HB M/T Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: DFW, TX Posts: 867	I have to seriously contest the flashlight battery theory. A couple of problems: there should be soot/melting directly above the flashlight, and the tray itself should have melted substantially; the flashlight should show significant damage, yet appears basically unscathed. Also, that flashlight appears to be one of the aluminum screw-together type, which would be at least semi-waterproof. It would need to burst somewhere at its seams or at the lens, which also doesn't appear to have happened. Finally, alkaline batteries are safe at temperatures of 180 degrees Farenheit plus, and it would be tough to produce that even here in Dallas in August. Anecdotally, I have kept a mini maglight and a 6V lantern in my car/trunk for most of the past 20 years in Texas, including in a black CRV, and never had the slightest hint of heat damage/leakage/combustion. Also, my brother used a maglight in Afghanistan and Iraq, where temperatures routinely exceeded 120 degrees farenheit AIR temp. No idea what that translates to inside a dark-colored, armored and sealed HumVee sitting in the sun all day, but no flashlights exploded. One other thing: I don;t know about Aussie Toyotas, but US Yarii have the 12V outlet wired to the ignition, so no power would flow to the GPS when the key was out.

11-06-2008, 01:02 AM	#4
auxmike Drives: 2008 HB, A/T, Power W/L/M Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: LI, New Yawk Posts: 2,063	Did the flashlight use Lithium batteries? I have a small Streamlight Scorpion in my glovebox right now. I left it on while it was standing upright on it's lens on a table, the lens started to melt! Those lights run HOT. After seeing this, I'm removing my Scorp from the car in the morning.....

12-10-2008, 04:37 PM	#9
rob323 Don't drive it, RALLY it! Drives: 1999 echo PRC rally car Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Joyner, Brisbane Posts: 321	Purpleminx, any updates on whether the cause of the fire was pinpointed yet?

12-12-2008, 01:46 AM	#11
Shroomster '07 to '12:2 wipers to 1? View User's Garage Drives: '12 5-door LE & '14 5-door LE Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Orlando Posts: 1,999	I want an update purpleminx