Smoke Signals/Set Up Day 2016

Two days before Carlisle Nationals, upon switching Lola on, we noticed a small wisp of smoke emitting from a little hole between the rubber in the window and the metal of the dashboard. Not much, but it resembled the smoke you see when you set a cigarette in an ashtray. Accompanying the smell was a scent that to me resembled what you smell when using a hot glue gun: melted plastic. Once I had laid down, feet over the edge of the seat and uncomfortably on my back, head under the dashboard, our worries were confirmed. Lola was experiencing a small electrical fire. My father and I did some research and found that this was a common occurrence in these kinds of molar cars. Lola's alternator is strong.

LH

Dad's Post Script

Like Shaelyn noted we did a bunch of online research over night and reached out to our buddy at home - Paul Smith (Lola's previous owner) for some help. All the online research pointed to the battery recharging/ammeter setup on the Valiant for many years. All the current recharging /running the car passes/"flows" through the dash ammeter. Present day cars have a volt meter - which just monitors the level of voltage in the system. Any "resistance" (place where the wire is not continuous - like a splice, connection, or a gauge) in the ammeter setup can cause heat to build up. So can excess or additional amperage if the wire gauge (width/diameter) is too small. We had added a new alternator (65 AMP capacity), so that might also be causing the problem.

So .... called AAA early this AM and got Lola picked up at the house. Ride on a nice slant deck tow truck down to Sloops Garage. We left her some very capable hands, and headed over to the car show to see if we could get any input from folks at the show. Thursday is "Set Up" Day. Venders and show participants can get in to set up their cars and booths. The Public can also get in for a sneak preview.

We picked up program and walked down to check out Lola's "section" this year. Then we looked down through the vendor list and found a guy that specialized in rebuilding alternators for older Mopars (lots of folks have their original parts rebuilt to preserve a car that has all matching serial numbers on key parts or original parts installed by Chrysler). Found the guy - Billy Wise - and he confirmed our online research. He said the common work-around is to bypass the gauge by bolting the gauge connections together and taping to insulate. Billy said it had happened to him once, and he did that and also picked up a voltmeter that you plug into the cigarette lighter to monitor current.

WHEW!

Headed back over to Sloop's with that knowledge. When we got there, they confirmed the same thing. Alternator was fine, and they had checked with one of their "old sources" and heard the same thing. They bypassed the gauge and taped the connection while we ran around and did chores. We dropped back at 4:30 and picked up Lola. Shaelyn crawled up under the dash and confirmed their work. Then drove Lola back to the house (with a smile from ear to ear),

We loaded our car show gear into Lola. Then Shaelyn drove Lisa and I over to the car show and we parked Lola in her spot.

All is good in the world.