Oldsmobile/Buick Repair: Oldsmobile LSS engine fire., oldsmobile lss, vacuum modulator

Question
QUESTION: I see your 1998 limit but everyone else is on vacation.

Today the transmission on my 1996 Olds LSS (3800, non SC)
began slipping. Within seconds I pulled over and shut off the engine. Smoke immediately began pouring from under the hood. The fire was on the passenger side and appears to have possibly started near the transmission sensor. I could see no leaking fluids. The wiring in this area including most throttle body MAF etc. connections have burnt. The car still starts.
Any idea what may have happened?
How is this type of damage repaired?
Thank You

ANSWER: Hi
You say passenger side, dod you mean driversside, for the trans and most of throttle wiring is on the drivers side.
Cause of fire I would have to see. I hate to speculate.
ANY flamible vapor or fluid has the potential to combust under hood.
Reapirs would be anything from resplicing a few circuits to entire engine underhood harness replacement, depending on circuits and severity of damage.
Hope this helps.
Pawl

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: You are correct, drivers side. Looking closer the worst damage is near the vacuum modulator for the transmission. The tubes are broken and burned. The flames then went up to burn the wires connected to the throttle body.
Is it possible to send you a couple of photos?

I dont know if the transmission slip caused the problem or if it was slipping due to the fire/failure.

Thanks
Tom

ANSWER: Hi
Sure click the "Private" box, send me another post and I'll send my email address to look at photos.
Pawl

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Pawl,
Just wanted to let you know what the problem was.

1. Vacuum for both the fuel regulator and the transmission modulator are fed from the same T connection on the throttle body. When the regulator fails raw gas is sucked into the intake as per the recall. It does not mention that it also leaks into the line to the modulator.

2. Gas in the vacuum lines appears to have deteriorated the plastic couplers and the modulator. GM calls the odd piece near the modulator that broke in half and melted an orfice. Not really sure what it was supposed to do. It was not in stock at the Chevy dealer.

3. The modulator had failed and was full of gasoline. I am not sure how much leaked into the transmission so I will flush it tomorrow.
   Do you trust any of the national shops to do a flush?

I have replaced the regulator ($70.00 at Autozone) , the modulator and all of the vacuum hose and fittings. Most of the wire damage was to the external sheath so electrical still seems to work ok. The air filter box and boot are melted so they will need to be replaced.

I wish I would have known about the recall. It would have saved me some time and money. I am surprised they are not more agressive about something so serious. I mentioned the situation to a Chevy service rep today and he said that he had never heard of anything like this.

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/defect/results.cfm?action_number=EA02

Thanks again for your help.


Answer
Hi Tom
First I have ever heard of this also.
I can tell you to check with the service manager and see if there is ANY help they can provide. They do still have to preform the recall...by law.
All they have to change is the regulator.
I do trust flushes. I wil say, that if possible I would go ahead  and replace the filter also. It may be a bit more $$$ but it will be worth it especailly if gasoline made it's way into the transmission.
I am sorry that I could not have been more assistance.
I do wish you good luck.
If I can help in any other way, feel free to post.
Pawl