can faulty ignition cause fire? (without key?)

Neighbour's 92 Accord burnt down his garage/home during the night.
Fire department investigator ruled faulty ignition caused fire.
Insurance investigator said that the ignition was de-energized at the
time (ignition contacts were open) and that it couldn't have
overheated that way. Thoughts?

bertbarndoor wrote:
> Neighbour's 92 Accord burnt down his garage/home during the night.
> Fire department investigator ruled faulty ignition caused fire.
> Insurance investigator said that the ignition was de-energized at the
> time (ignition contacts were open) and that it couldn't have
> overheated that way. Thoughts?

did he have any financial problems that would tempt him to torch it and
make a claim? the insurance investigator is correct - open contacts
don't start fires.

jim beam wrote:
> bertbarndoor wrote:
>> Neighbour's 92 Accord burnt down his garage/home during the night.
>> Fire department investigator ruled faulty ignition caused fire.
>> Insurance investigator said that the ignition was de-energized at the
>> time (ignition contacts were open) and that it couldn't have
>> overheated that way. Thoughts?
>
> did he have any financial problems that would tempt him to torch it and
> make a claim? the insurance investigator is correct - open contacts
> don't start fires.

oh, and please learn to cross-post so answers show to all groups.

On Sun, 20 Jan 2008 08:40:42 -0800, jim beam
> wrote:

>bertbarndoor wrote:
>> Neighbour's 92 Accord burnt down his garage/home during the night.
>> Fire department investigator ruled faulty ignition caused fire.
>> Insurance investigator said that the ignition was de-energized at the
>> time (ignition contacts were open) and that it couldn't have
>> overheated that way. Thoughts?
>
>did he have any financial problems that would tempt him to torch it and
>make a claim? the insurance investigator is correct - open contacts
>don't start fires.

While the contact may be open, one side is still live. As long as it
is live, it can short out and cause a fire. This isn't just
theoretical, especially if you own a Ford.:

http://flamingfords.info/affohome.html


"On some of the affected vehicles, a short circuit could develop in
the ignition switch that could lead to overheating, smoke and possibly
fire in the steering column area of the vehicle. The condition may
occur while the vehicle is in use or unattended."

From November 29, 1995 Letter to ALL FORD CANADA DEALERS
By J. B. White Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited