Engine bay fire

[JFortney]

Hi I had a 2004 3500 6 speed up until Monday night at around 11pm. My neighbor called me and was frantic telling me my truck was on fire. I went to see and the engine bay was on fire with flames coming out from the grille and drivers side wheel well. It appears the it started some where around the fuse box is the best that I can tell. By the time the fire dept got there the fire had spread through the firewall into the cab and destroyed everything inside. It only had 34000 miles on it and had been sitting for two days when this happened. Im just trying to fiqure what happened and if any one out there has had a similiar problem. It is now in the hands of the insurance co so Lord only knows how this is going to end. Fairly I hope. Thanks

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Wow, that's terrible, it must be heartbreaking to see your own rig burn up in the driveway

Engine bay fires are pretty rare, I don't recall ever reading of one happening in the driveway without the truck running in all the years I've been on TDR. There have been a fire or two and near fire caused by the grid heater getting stuck on. I don't see how that can happen while sitting in the driveway, the relays are "normally Off" switches that take power to energize and switch them "on".

Vaughn

 

[MMeier]

Back a few years, new intro of 3rd gen, there were quite a few "mysterious" fires, similar to yours. Dodge somehow kept very quiet about them too ! Kinda makes you wonder.

 

[10-9jc]

1. Sorry to hear about your truck.

2. Make sure your FD (paid or volunteer) document the circumstances.
(If they have an investigator, that's even better)
Make sure you obtain a copy of the "Incident Report".

3. Go to the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) site.
You will see a section to file a complaint about a vehicle or child safety seat.
It's called the "ODI" - Office of Defects Investigations.

This last item won't help replace your truck - and the insurance company probably
won't bother to do that - but it's worth the effort.

Just Google: NHTSA

~

JC

 

[TRLRTRSH]

Jfive, let us know what the investigators find. It would be interesting to know the results.



Thanks, and sorry for the loss of your truck

 

[tolmsted]

Also sorry to here about your truck.

Yes, please keep us in the loop.

 

[JFortney]

pic of my truck a sicking sight. Hopefully this will post

 

[Motorhead]

Man... Sure sorry that that happened! Stand FIRM if your insurance company tries to lowball you.

 

[TimothyLong]

Dude, that really sucks!! It's truly heartbreaking to see your rig like that. I hope you are able to find out what caused it.

 

[JFortney]

No update at this time. Still waiting waiting waiting. Hopefully by the end of the week I'll hear from the ins. co.