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[alfie]

Bad news I,m afraid,smoke appeared to be coming out from beneath the dashboard,the car had not been driven for about one week.
The fire service attended,but the fire appeared to be out,theey made the car safe by disconnecting the battery then left.

The problem now is,do I call the insurance,or try to solve the electrical fault.Will the insurance write the car off,or will they repair it.
Is there a main circuit breaker that isolates  the electrics,as I can't even crank the car over.

                                                 Thanks for any help.
                                                      Alfie,

[Kevin Wood]

I would say the insurance are likely to write the car off, since a repair could be next to impossible if the whole loom is toast and there's always the possibility that the fire could recurr if damage to the loom is missed.

It could be straightforward, though. Normally the power sounder is the culprit when an Omega does this, so that's the place to start.

[Kevin Wood]

Oh, and without knowing where the short occurred, it's not safe to power up any of the electrics at this stage. You need to inspect the loom for damage from battery to fuse box and wherever there is obvious damage and make sure that any damaged wiring is removed or replaced before doing anything else IMHO.

It may well be too far gone to repair, of course.

[albitz]

Another victim of the dreaded power sounder by the sound of things. Unless your very handy with electrics,its likely to be a write off imo.
It would be labour intensive (thus expensive) to have fixed by professionals I would imagine.

[paul_41]

Did it happen while starting? I've had many a Vauxhall with a worn ignition switch that's caused smoke to emanate from around the steering cowling. New switch problem solved, but you would need to be sure that this was the cause. Maybe worth calling a local auto electrician?

[MR MISTER]

Bad news I,m afraid,smoke appeared to be coming out from beneath the dashboard,the car had not been driven for about one week.
The fire service attended,but the fire appeared to be out,theey made the car safe by disconnecting the battery then left.

The problem now is,do I call the insurance,or try to solve the electrical fault.Will the insurance write the car off,or will they repair it.
Is there a main circuit breaker that isolates  the electrics,as I can't even crank the car over.

                                                 Thanks for any help.
                                                      Alfie,

If there was no actual fire, just a bit of smoke from the dash, why would the insurance company be involved? Thery don't cover mechanical/electrical failure I'm afraid.

[MR MISTER]

Best reconnect the battery and hope it burns.

[alfie]

The power sounder was disconnected,I phoned insurance and they are arranging collection tomorrow.

[alfie]

Just a little update,took the wiper scuttle off and found the cause of the fire was that the loom was burnt through where it passes the servo. Looks as if it had become flayed rubbing against the servo as the years have gone passed.
I think it maybe repairable,and I would like the car back on the road,the insurance is sorting collection this morning.

                                                                             Alfie

[omegod]

It may prove less harmful to your wallet if an autospark looked at it and gave you a price, Insurance may still write it off so be very aware of this!! Once it's been collected there is a very good chance you will never see it again.

[MR MISTER]

Just a little update,took the wiper scuttle off and found the cause of the fire was that the loom was burnt through where it passes the servo. Looks as if it had become flayed rubbing against the servo as the years have gone passed.
I think it maybe repairable,and I would like the car back on the road,the insurance is sorting collection this morning.

                                                                             Alfie

Looks like I wats wrong about the insurance then. That makes a change.

[05omegav6]

It may prove less harmful to your wallet if an autospark looked at it and gave you a price, Insurance may still write it off so be very aware of this!! Once it's been collected there is a very good chance you will never see it again.

Sad, but true

[cleggy]

Don't let them take the car but arrange an inspection. If they right it off, which they will, you can have the salvage if the car remains in your possession

[alfie]

The car was picked up yesterday by the insurance,don't think I,ll be seeing it again.It bought a lump to my throat to see it being winched onto the truck,I,ve had the thing for 8 years,it will be missed.
I would like to thank everybody on this forum for the help that advice that I,ve needed over the years.
                                                              Alfie.

[albitz]

Should have taken the advice not to let the insurance co. take possession of it tbh.
Too late now though.