Hi Brian,
     Not so strange if you analyze the circuit. There is no fuse protection
for the coil. Same is true of may (actually most)  other circuits /
components in the engine compartment of our beloved but somewhat  prone to
fires vans.

 Midwesty

 ----- Original Message -----
 From: "brian adams" <baadamz@HOTMAIL.COM>
 To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
 Sent: Sunday, October 15, 2000 10:32 AM

 > I recent;y had a wierd episode in my 84 Van GL, maybe it was from the
> Friday
> > 13th, full moon effect-but it could be something else.  I was installing
> new
> > shocks and pads on the front, went smooove, and then went to park the
van
> > after washing it.  Well my buddy noticed smoke coming from the van and I
> > peeked intot he license plate door and saw FIRE!!!!  With fast action I
> > opened the hatch to find my coil in flames.  Since i was washing the
> windows
> > I sprayed the flames down with a bottle of cleanre (whooooooooooooooa)
and
> > they were quickly extinguished.  Inspecting the damage, some wire needed
> to
> > be replace (really just the terminal connectors) and the distributor
wire
> > was melted.  How could this fire have started out of the clear blue?  I
> will
> > be replacing the coil and spark plug wire set, but could this happen
> again?
> > Who thinks its a bad coil?  Your comments are appreciated muchly.
> >
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