Nissan Juke - Is melting classed as a fire

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Fri 14 Mar 2025 18:39
Nissan Juke - Is melting classed as a fire - J9Ned

Hello - I hope someone can help me with this question please. My Wife's car was running on the driveway and then just stopped. Dashboard dead when trying to turn it over, and no electrical functions anywhere. Full tank of fuel, oil ok and nothing obviously visible. Tried to jump it and nothing either. My garage has found that the main fuse had blown and the wiring leading off it had melted and fused together. The garage has said that it is a "catastrophic electrical failure", and it is likely going to cost the value of the car to repair. We have comprehensive insurance - does the melting and subsequent short class as a fire?

Edited by Chris Clargo on 14/03/2025 at 18:39

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Fri 14 Mar 2025 23:15
Nissan Juke - Is melting classed as a fire - Andrew-T

We have comprehensive insurance - does the melting and subsequent short class as a fire?

I doubt that your insurer would be that generous, but you can always ask. Might you have tried a jump-start with reversed polarity ?

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Sat 15 Mar 2025 10:11
Nissan Juke - Is melting classed as a fire - Bromptonaut

Is it possible that the damage is a result of corrosion in the main lead(s) between battery, alternator and starter motor.

I had that issue in a Citroen Xantia where the combination of water spraying under the bonnet, hydrogen from the battery and electrolysis reduced the cable's capacity with current to the point it melted lead connections.

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Sat 15 Mar 2025 12:33
Nissan Juke - Is melting classed as a fire - elekie&a/c doctor
It’s usually “no flames no blames “ . Unless there’s any subsequent fire damage, it’s unlikely the insurance would be involved. Any idea what’s caused this melt down ? Very unusual failure .
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Sat 15 Mar 2025 17:32
Nissan Juke - Is melting classed as a fire - Xileno

I would seek out the opinion of a mobile auto electrician who will visit to take a look. It may be that the garage don't want to get involved in this repair, hence their reply.

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Sun 16 Mar 2025 10:05
Nissan Juke - Is melting classed as a fire - Bromptonaut

I would seek out the opinion of a mobile auto electrician who will visit to take a look. It may be that the garage don't want to get involved in this repair, hence their reply.

Pretty much the case with my Xantia. Citroen specialist thought the entire loom was sot. Flatbedded it to an auto sparks who sorted it.

Given the extent to which Xantias and other vehicles with early HDi engines were susceptible to such things it was one of a couple of incidents that led to my losing faith in his 'specialism'.

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Mon 17 Mar 2025 10:47
Nissan Juke - Is melting classed as a fire - J9Ned

Thanks for the replies - very helpful. My garage aren't elec. specialists but have said it could take them 3/4 days to evaluate the issue only to find then that lots of remedial work / parts replacement may be necessary and then no guarantees that works once repaired. going to find an elec. specialist to see what they deduce.

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