Nittany caught on fire last night!!!!

[Ex-Miata Man]

It's still been very quiet from GM. I assume it's because of the holidays. I'll keep everyone up to date on the progress as it happens.

[Skyman-CT]

Originally Posted by Ex-Miata Man It's still been very quiet from GM. I assume it's because of the holidays. I'll keep everyone up to date on the progress as it happens.

First, Dan Like everyone else it goes without saying I'm glad your OK.

Just picked up on this thread today but here's a couple links that might help everyone in their decision to add a Fire Extinguisher.
While the older style Halon extinguisher's have been ban from general sales in many states the new alternative is the evironmentally friendly Halotron 1.
They are more expensive but in the event you can get the fire out with minor damage the clean-up cost is substantionally reduced. Just my

http://www.h3rperformance.com/support_faq.htm
http://www.h3rperformance.com/where_to_buy.htm

Also an inexpensive holder that could be adapted in many ways for behind seat mount:
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...equestid=29099

[JustMike]

Originally Posted by Ex-Miata Man It's still been very quiet from GM. I assume it's because of the holidays. I'll keep everyone up to date on the progress as it happens.

If I am not mistaken you are correct and I believe that the magic date for return to business could be Jan 7th ...

[MS Solstice]

Dan,
So sorry to hear what happened to you! I hate that your car is toast, but I am glad you are ok! Take care, and I hope everything works out for you!

Kim

[Devoking]

Originally Posted by JustMike If I am not mistaken you are correct and I believe that the magic date for return to business could be Jan 7th ...

I know that we are returning to work on the 2nd as should all of the folks that would be responsible for handling this situation. Individual plants may have a longer vacation than that but the corporation should be on the job next Wednesday.

[Ex-Miata Man]

Everything has been very quiet so far. The only action has been from my own insurance company and their field investigation. Let's see what happens with the new year.

[BellaVerde]

According to an old issue of C&D, that is the gas used to inflate the bag. And glad you are OK..way to stay cool in a hot situation! And GM does need to know about this, I agree.

[Small Dealer]

Originally Posted by BellaVerde Sodium Azide .......According to an old issue of C&D, that is the gas used to inflate the bag.

Sodium Azide is not a gas, is is most commonly refered to as a salt or a powder.

It is what is used to deploy air bags in cars.

When the Sodium Azide is heated, usually by a electric signal from the air bag control module, it will produce Nitrogen gas. That is actually the gas that fills the air bags.

[Ex-Miata Man]

I will tell you one thing......it is extremely difficult to breath if the air bag goes off. The car is small enough inside that the cockpit fills up with the powder and breathing is vary labored. I was able to get my windows opened and that brought in fresh air.

[BellaVerde]

Thanks for the update, SD. The old C&D editorial was a rant against the safety nazis calling the devices "air" bags, when the mechanism used a powerful (explosive) chemical to activate it. They were all for standard 3 or even 5 point belts, then letting the free market insurance charges handle the rest. Still makes sense to me...self discharging "nitrogen" bags are a scary thing. Doubt if I'll remove mine though...unless Dan's problem proves widespread!

[Small Dealer]

Originally Posted by BellaVerde ...self discharging "nitrogen" bags are a scary thing.

That is why, as in this case, the driver is provided a warning that the bag(s) could deploy.

[Ex-Miata Man]

It's been 16 days and no word from anyone from GM except the low end insurance people. I was hoping this was going to be easy.

[DaveOC]

Originally Posted by Ex-Miata Man It's been 16 days and no word from anyone from GM except the low end insurance people. I was hoping this was going to be easy.

Perhaps it's time to raise just a little bit of noise, just to see if anyone is listening yet?

[Aspenrose]

Originally Posted by Ex-Miata Man It's been 16 days and no word from anyone from GM except the low end insurance people. I was hoping this was going to be easy.

I'm really surprised at them!! They should be bending over BACKWARDS for you. Maybe they forgot how to move quickly without prodding from a shady personal injury lawyer??

Spontaneous combustion isn't something Pontiac or GM needs to act slowly on

[SolAnderson]

Time for NHSTA ?