Attached are pics in sequence to show you exactly where you're looking, what seems to be the end of a bolt in the passenger side front wheel well. I drove a good 200KM trip and was smelling a gradual chemical type burning smell that seemed to be off and on. So, I thought to myself it was just where I was driving, so I let the windows down, and the smell went away. After going out again after this trip, I began to smell the burning again, suddenly smoke began to come out of the vents and what appeared to be the dash on the right side. At this point I knew I had to see what was going on. I pulled over at an indoor coin wash (sunday afternoon) to take a better look. Checked under the dash on both sides, under the hood to see if I could target the smell, but still nothing. Pondering about this issue to myself I thought I might as well was the snow and salt off as I'm here. I began spraying off the snow and salt in all off the wheel wells and the underbody only too see a huge cloud of smoke after spraying the passenger side wheel well, before I even took out my flashlight to see, I could clearly see something burning and I was smelling that awful scent again. I sprayed what appeared to be catching on fire until it began to stabilize, but through spraying it for 4-6 seconds I saw it spark as well. So thats my story, can anyone take a look at those pics I've attached and possibly give me some suggestions as to what I'm looking and maybe even what you think I might be up against?
Thanks!

 

Hi Nick,

I'm not 100% sure, but believe that is the general area of the auxiliary battery terminal. If so, definitely get it checked out further before driving, as that will be an unfused line directly from the battery. Sounds like a hot wire has rubbed against ground. Good thing you caught it in time before a full-fledged fire broke out.

There's a picture of the auxiliary battery terminal about halfway down on this page:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=87362

 

Agree with kr above.


Yep you definitely have had a major electrical melt down. Have fun with this one, sorry.

 

Ouch! let us know how it goes.

 

For safety, until you can investigate further, disconnect the ground cable from the battery. This will prevent any further arcing.

The repair may not be that big of a deal. If a wire has rubbed against a ground, it may a simple matter to repair or replace the offending wire and reposition it to prevent contact.

If the damage is at the +VE stud (hot battery power), it could be a loose connection on the stud itself, or high resistance in a crimped connection. Road salt could have caused corrosion and made it worse.

Either way, it may not be too tough to repair. Just leave the battery ground cable disconnected while investigating.

 

>auxiliary battery terminal.

Yup, bet that's it.

See the chain on getting into the trunk when the batter is dead. There are a number of pictures there of the aux + terminal in the passenger wheel well.
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Jaguar - it's not an automobile, it's a Motorcar

 

It is very odd but should be an easy fix.
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Had the car towed to my mechanic this afternoon and the problem was just as previously mentioned by Karl, the power wire was exposed due to excessive wear and tear and corrosion, and therefore heated up the body significantly, which in turn caused the mini meltdown. LUCKILY, I was able to find the problem before the car became engulfed in flames, also saving myself an exorbitant amount of money (thank God). I got off easy with having to replace the power wire and for the sake of doing things right, I decided to replace the wire piggybacking to the starter and alternator as well. I'm scheduled to pick her back up tomorrow, I'll let you guys know what happens! Thanks for all your replies!

Regards,

Nick.

 

Boy oh boy you got lucky all the way around, congrats. Will you be putting in a replacement inner wheel well to protect the new wires?

 

Good news and a real stroke of luck I'd say.

 

Hip Hip! lol I'm buying a new one, but not from the dealer and my local Jag parts guy doesn't have one at the moment, I guess I'll just have to find one online

 

I did not realize that you were running without the wheel well liner?

Was it missing when you purchased the car?
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When I bought my '08 4.2L last spring I found that the liners on both sides was all cracked and split.

A local body shop replaced them both for about $400. The were readily available and the shop had no trouble getting them.
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Jaguar: Grace, Pace, and Space - Sir William Lyons