Has anyone had any issues with electrical shorts (causing fires) in the area of the rear mounted battery?

 

Not heard of this. Curious why you are asking.

 

Never seen one reported here. Due the C7s composite body its hard to have an accidental short like you would encounter in common ground uni-body type vehicle. The battery is surrounded by plastic not metal in the hatch. Not saying its impossible just very unlikely. The battery also has a 350A main fuse directly on it, so that would blow before the wiring would burn up.

 

Was to get a boost from AAA and tried to open the small plastic fold back cap on the positive post when the entire plastic cap (approximately 6" x 4 ") came off exposing more of the circuitry that extends into the main power cable running to the front of the car. Was able to get the car running without the boost. Went to replace the "plastic" cap and there was a bunch of sparks, then a big plume of thick black smoke, and then a small fire where the plastic cap would first snap on to be re-attached. Put the fire out with my gloved hand and thought that was the end of it. Looked underneath and had a large amount of flames (this all took place within a minute. Triple AAA guy had a fire extinguisher but couldn't get to the flames as they were in the cavity between the rear facia holding the taillight assemblies and the back of the trunk compartment. Once the composite material got going it started to spread. Fire extinguisher ran out but flames still going. Ran and got a garden hose to help. Luckily as the composite got hot it started to droop and created an opening just below the taillight assembly where I could put in the garden hose. Was about to abandon ship when the flames finally went out. Whole rear facia will need to be replaced along with taillight assembly. Not sure what other parts are in that cavity area and how much other damage there is. Mu guess is that there is 10-15 thousand dollars damage, although many people I talk to say insurance will just write off the car?? Have no idea what caused the short/fire to actually start.

 

Sorry to hear that bro. Like I said before, Ive never heard of this. As JM said the 350 fuse should burn if there is a short. Keep us up to date on what happend.

 

Wow! Sorry for your loss. I hope insurance does total it for you as that is usually best.

There is a vent to let the hydrogen that the battery let's off and vents it outside the car. Perhaps that was not properly attached and the hydrogen accelerated the fire? Never heard of a battery fire on a C7. Other types of fires, yes.

 

That's the only thing I can think of. Improperly vented fumes touched off the fire.

 

WOW that is an odd and scary situation Wonder if something metal (screw driver, other tool?) fell under the plastic cap.

My experience with electrical fires in 12V systems (cars and boats) is they are almost always related wiring - either incorrect gauge, not fused properly, damaged wire, etc. In the 80s/90s I installed car audio / alarms systems and saw many people who didn't understand that anything metal is a potential ground and thus didn't protect the wires properly. I once watched as a truck nearly burnt to the ground because a small wire got pinched under a seat.

 

Some one should solve this fire issue with Corvette!.... No?

 

What are you even talking about? So far we have ONE example, with little to no detail about what actually caused it.

 

I had the complete rear fascia torn off my car during an off track excursion along with some suspension damage and a broken rear quarter along with damage to the tub. There were several wire harnesses that were torn apart so they had to be replaced as well. The repair cost came to $14K. Unless the tub needs to be replaced completely the repairs are fairly straightforward. I doubt the insurance company will total the car.

There is a battery voltage post under the hood just behind the underhood electrical center that is supposed to be used for jump-starting the car. That gets the jumper cable sparks away from the hydrogen coming out of the battery so a far won't start.

Bill

 

First time I have heard of any fire around the battery location. Not a common issue at all with the Corvette.

 

There is a battery voltage post under the hood just behind the underhood electrical center that is supposed to be used for jump-starting the car. That gets the jumper cable sparks away from the hydrogen coming out of the battery so a far won't start.

Bill[/QUOTE]
Gas omitted from the battery? That's what gets the spark? Aren't batteries sealed from the gas?

 

Did I miss the part where we asked if this is the original AC delco battery? Maybe you should get GM involved.

 

While I like this idea, all of the C7 manuals with which I am familiar instruct to connect the jumper cables directly to the C7's battery terminals.

 

Corvette Forum;

Arson-The criminal act of setting a fire.


Many thanks,

Plebeian

 

I've never heard of that issue being reported here, and seems every C7 issue known to man get's reported here one time of another.

 

Lead acid batteries emit small amounts of hydrogen gas. This isn't normally a problem when they're under the hood. But when they're sealed in the interior of a car, they need to have a vent tube to the outside. It's possible the vent tube wasn't hooked up, or was blocked, in the fire example we saw above.

 

It may have been a better idea to replace the plastic cap after disconnecting the positive battery terminal though I don't know if this was possible. Maybe not.

 

Battery Vent tube?... Where is this "vent tube". I don't think I have one. 🤔