Burnin' down the house....

[quk@sievers.com (Phil Payne)]

In message <960824201047_75363.2524_EHI37-1@CompuServe.COM> Joe Yakubik writes:

> "Hmmm," thinks I, "must be a blown fuse.  Can't go driving off not knowing what
> else might have failed.  I'll check the trusty owners manual.  Oh, yeah, the
> rear wiper is off by itself on fuse 18.  I'll check it when I get home.  It's
> kind of funny that the rear pump works though."

Lesson 1.  Don't ignore "kinda funnies".

> Arriving safely home, opening the door, enjoying the fresh evening air.  "Hmmm,
> no smell.  That's a bit odd.  Well, time to check the fuse."
> 
> The fuse was good.

There are two meanings of good.  Someone driving or servicing your car has at 
some time used the other definition.

> The rear wiper motor was jammed and attempting to burn itself out.  In a valiant
> effort to clear my rear window of raindrops, the 15 amp fuse refused to die.

But had it been the correct 8 amp fuse, it would have done.  And protected 
yourself and your car.

15 amps for a winder motor?  180 watts?  Did this not strike you as a tad 
excessive?  No wonder the wiring glowed.

Should you manage to identify and locate the individual who first had the fuse 
blow when the motor showed the first symptoms, and who replaced the 8 amp fuse 
specified by the factory (which is already borderline excessive) with a 
downright suicidal 15 amp fuse, do _please_ tell us what you do to him.  

(It won't be a female.  They have too much sense.)

The issue now is - how much insulation was burnt off the wiring, and where?

How close to the fuel tank does the rear wiper motor wiring go?  Did you read 
the Apollo 13 book?  

--
 Phil Payne
 phil@sievers.com
 Committee Member, UK Audi [ur-]quattro Owners Club