LJ fire at battery

Hog

Hog

Know it all...according to wife
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So I’m trying to figure out .. my son is in Colorado and is driving a new to me LJ.. he just called and said the jeep caught fire.. he said it came from the battery.. luckily it has a fire extinguisher and he quickly put out the fire.. obviously I’m trying to get to the issue of what caused it.. he’s a little shaken up so I’m not getting all the info but I now it had a optima battery.. its being towed back to his place he’s staying.. any thoughts?
 
macleanflood said:
Yes. Lots of them.

Need pictures and the rest of the story.

-Mac
Click to expand...

Im trying. Its being towed currently back to his place.. he’s shaken and hasn’t had a chance to send me pics.. I’m glad he’s ok he did good with the fire extinguisher.. but I’m just searching for explanations til I can see pics myself
 
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Hog said:
Im trying. Its being towed cartel to back to his place.. he’s shaken and hasn’t had a chance to send me pics.. I’m glad he’s ok he did good with the fire extinguisher.. but I’m just searching for explanations til I can see pics myself
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Yep at least he didn't panic and got the fire put out
 
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lBasket said:
Yep at least he didn't panic and got the fire put out
Click to expand...

IMG_5178.jpeg


IMG_4926.jpeg

This is it pre fire.. I’m just at a loss of what could cause a fire
 
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He was just driving and saw smoke coming from under the hood.. so he pulled over and popped hood.. said fire was at the front of the battery.. the fire department said the hottest part was the exhaust at 200 degrees.. they checked passenger floor board and it wasn’t hot.. just wierd
 
When my wife rear ended my Jeep my optima battery moved more than I liked...and that was with a custom bracket I made.

The optima batteries are smaller...so the oem battery holder isn't necessarily sufficient to keep it in place.

My guess is the battery moved, positive terminal touched something and ignition.

Glad everyone is ok.

-Mac
 
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macleanflood said:
When my wife rear ended my Jeep my optima battery moved more than I liked...and that was with a custom bracket I made.

The optima batteries are smaller...so the oem battery holder isn't necessarily sufficient to keep it in place.

My guess is the battery moved, positive terminal touched something and ignition.

Glad everyone is ok.

-Mac
Click to expand...

Thanks.. I hope that may be the case
 
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So it seems or I should say it has a kill switch system.. seems to have started either where the winch is connected to the battery on the front side of the battery.. or perhaps where this kill switch system is connected.. he saved it though it seems. I don’t see any melted wires or plastic nor paint.. .. gunna get battery checked tomorrow and disconnect the winch til he gets it home
 
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macleanflood said:
When my wife rear ended my Jeep my optima battery moved more than I liked...and that was with a custom bracket I made.

The optima batteries are smaller...so the oem battery holder isn't necessarily sufficient to keep it in place.

My guess is the battery moved, positive terminal touched something and ignition.

Glad everyone is ok.

-Mac
Click to expand...

Possibly winch battery cables cut due to vibration and shorting battery. Also what’s the connector on the drivers front and cable behind grill?
 
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Hog said:
So it seems or I should say it has a kill switch system.. seems to have started either where the winch is connected to the battery on the front side of the battery.. or perhaps where this kill switch system is connected.. he saved it though it seems. I don’t see any melted wires or plastic nor paint.. .. gunna get battery checked tomorrow and disconnect the winch til he gets it home
Click to expand...

Posted this as I was typing about the winch cables. Saw this happen once burned the Jeep up.Ever since I have made sure the cables have a protective sleeve and are routed so they don’t get cut.
Good luck!
 
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Typical citation-


1. Failed to inspect electrical system upon purchase

2. Failed to inspect aftermarket component connections.

3. Failed to take Andy G to Arizona, all expense paid, to go pick it up

4. Allowed son to terrorize the Rocky Mountain area in said purchase prior to possession of LJR

I will add, having the fire extinguisher will make this go better when brought before the board.

Most likely he’s going to get a warning and have to come up to my house for a weekend. Regularly.
 
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RocknLJ said:
Posted this as I was typing about the winch cables. Saw this happen once burned the Jeep up.Ever since I have made sure the cables have a protective sleeve and are routed so they don’t get cut.
Good luck!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the help.. it will be routed and connected better from now on!!!
 
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my positive winch cable insulation rubbed through and shortened out my new battery shortly after winch was installed. i ran both cables through rubber hoses from which to battery. all has been good since.
 
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