I noticed a LOT of heat coming from under the ash tray area in my car. Considering one of our group in the cruise today had his Fiero burn to a crisp, I am a little paranoid.. Can anyone explain what the heck would cause heat in this area? It is really warm, too warm to touch. Could the shifter cables transfer heat from the engine bay??
[This message has been edited by cam-a-lot (edited 09-28-2014).]
the cooling tubes from the engine run underneath that area, the little light bulbs next to the ashtrays make some heat. Other than that, there's not much in the vicinity thar can generate heat.
Foam rubber seals in the climate control duct work, transmission cable or harness grommets in the engine firewall and even the tiny little ash tray lights can generate a lot of heat in that area. I always remove my ash tray bulbs and cigarette lighter bulb because the heat they generate causes separation of the console and shift surround.
On rides longer than 1 hour, the vinyl bezel around the shifter plate becomes noticeably hot on both sides, near the ashtray lights area. I usually notice it when I'm using the cruise control and I pull my right leg back a bit, my knee ends up resting on the vinyl and it will bother me if I'm wearing bermudas. The passenger will sometimes notice it on long rides as well when they move their legs around to make themselves comfortable.
I ended up simply removing the ashtray lights.
I wish there was a switch to close the bulbs when the ashtray doors were closed.
------------------ Ben 87 GT / 88 GT 84 Indy #1863
Originally posted by solotwo: How about the heat from the ECM?
Heat under ash trays? Maybe but heat rises. Heat in "glove box" in the console? Very likely. See my Cave, ECM Heat
I think heat pipes won't heat that area. Pipes are at floor level, insulated and gets some air moving under the car.
Fuel pump won't heat anything except fuel. Fuel flow is lube and coolant to the pump.
Could be heater box and/or ducts blowing hot/cold air thru the console, like Adding carpet blocking heater outlets can do it.
------------------ Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should. (Jurassic Park)
Originally posted by MiloFiero: I've got the same issue. More noticeable on longer drives. Cigarette lighter gets really warm, I'm afraid that i may melt my radar detector plug.
If HL switch is on then You can try removing lighter light bulb. 194 bulb in close space does get hot. most likely the lighter socket is bad. Get a new socket. Most detectors use very simple cords and plugs but the plug could be bad too.
Originally posted by 2.5: Are there LEDs available in that size that wont get hot?
194 yes 70 likely. Not all venders carry very small ones.
Most LEDs don't dim well on Fiero's dimmer circuit. Auto shifter and maybe lighter is on dimmer. Not sure ash tray is on dimmer or wire directly to switch power.
Avoid white w/ color temp >3500°K. Brighter lamps/leds in these spots can cause glare problems and that can make hard to see outside at night.
Can anyone explain what the heck would cause heat in this area? It is really warm, too warm to touch. Could the shifter cables transfer heat from the engine bay??
