I was researching Starters that caused fires. My 1999 Toyota Camry LE 4cyl was just involved in a fire.
I was on my lunch break at McDonald's in Durham, NC, about a half mile from my work. I went thru the drive-thru. paid and parked in their parking lot to eat. I had the Air conditioner and radio running. AS I TOOK MY FIRST BYTE OF MY BURGER, I NOTICED LIGHT SMOKE COMING FROM THE Driver's side engine compartment near the tire. At first glance I did not think it was anything but then there was black smoke. It started to come into the car thru the air conditioning. I turned the car off and ran out the door. I immediately called 911 and reported a fire. The smoke was pungent and smelled electrical. I did not open the hood or anything. I let the fire dept do that. When the Fire department did open the hood, they did not see flames but did smell the burning. They disconnected the battery and flushed water into the engine.
I then notified my insurance company and had the car towed to my mechanic. Here is where it get's interesting. Apparently the Starter Malfunctioned and jammed into the flywheel. This damaged the Positive cable to the battery. I am told it melted it. At this stage I do not know if the battery itself has been damaged. My insurance company, Allstate, I am told will be denying my claim due to Mechanical Failure or defect. They also have said verbally that there was no evidence of fire. I am awaiting the mechanic to swap the starter with a new one so we can see if the saying is true, "Where there is smoke there is fire." Anyway I decided to look at other internet articles and found this as well:
http://www.bbc.com/news/business-26950970
Very interesting that there is still no recalls on this starter issue in the US..
also see these websites
http://www.bbc.com/news/business-26950970
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/103-3rd-4th-generation-1992-1996-1997-2001/421282-1999-camry-starter-burnt-where-do-i-start.html
http://www.justanswer.com/toyota/1j1cv-starter-located-1999-camry.html
http://www.topix.com/forum/autos/toyota/TB3LFMH52AIR04EH1
http://www.justanswer.com/toyota/2p9z7-hi-1999-toyota-camry-le-s-starter-will-not-shut-down-when.html
http://www.carcomplaints.com/Toyota/Camry/1999/engine/starter_caught_on_fire.shtml
http://car-and-safety.com/toyota-electrical-system-starter-assembly.htm#.VD9brdh0yUk
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/defect/results.cfm?action_number=PE02079&SearchType=QuickSearch&summary=true
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I was researching Starters that caused fires. My 1999 Toyota Camry LE 4cyl was just involved in a fire.
I was on my lunch break at McDonald's in Durham, NC, about a half mile from my work. I went thru the drive-thru. paid and parked in their parking lot to eat. I had the Air conditioner and radio running. AS I TOOK MY FIRST BYTE OF MY BURGER, I NOTICED LIGHT SMOKE COMING FROM THE Driver's side engine compartment near the tire. At first glance I did not think it was anything but then there was black smoke. It started to come into the car thru the air conditioning. I turned the car off and ran out the door. I immediately called 911 and reported a fire. The smoke was pungent and smelled electrical. I did not open the hood or anything. I let the fire dept do that. When the Fire department did open the hood, they did not see flames but did smell the burning. They disconnected the battery and flushed water into the engine.
I then notified my insurance company and had the car towed to my mechanic. Here is where it get's interesting. Apparently the Starter Malfunctioned and jammed into the flywheel. This damaged the Positive cable to the battery. I am told it melted it. At this stage I do not know if the battery itself has been damaged. My insurance company, Allstate, I am told will be denying my claim due to Mechanical Failure or defect. They also have said verbally that there was no evidence of fire. I am awaiting the mechanic to swap the starter with a new one so we can see if the saying is true, "Where there is smoke there is fire." Anyway I decided to look at other internet articles and found this as well: http://www.bbc.com/news/business-26950970 Very interesting that there is still no recalls on this starter issue in the US.. also see these websites http://www.bbc.com/news/business-26950970 http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/103-3rd-4th-generation-1992-1996-1997-2001/421282-1999-camry-starter-burnt-where-do-i-start.html http://www.justanswer.com/toyota/1j1cv-starter-located-1999-camry.html http://www.topix.com/forum/autos/toyota/TB3LFMH52AIR04EH1 http://www.justanswer.com/toyota/2p9z7-hi-1999-toyota-camry-le-s-starter-will-not-shut-down-when.html http://www.carcomplaints.com/Toyota/Camry/1999/engine/starter_caught_on_fire.shtml http://car-and-safety.com/toyota-electrical-system-starter-assembly.htm#.VD9brdh0yUk http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/defect/results.cfm?action_number=PE02079&SearchType=QuickSearch&summary=true
- Ray K., Cary, NC, US