I left for work early morning still dark and was 4 miles from home driving 55 mph when I entered a bridge, all lights lit up on dashboard and engine shut off locking the steering wheel. Fortunately when I turned the ignition key the engine restarted which allowed me to exit the bridge. Engine again quit and another restart allowed me to get off the highway. Dash board instruments went crazy. I did remember seeing the message 'low brake fluid', immobilizer, see manual. By this time I see smoke coming from the dashboard near the glove compartment area and smoke becomes thicker and thicker. Windshield wiper system started spraying water until reservoir was empty. Smoke filled the car rapidly. I gathered my belongings from inside and set them away from the car. I could not open the trunk. By now smoke was coming from entire dash board. I was fortunate that it never turned to flames. Once the entire electrical system had burned, the fire went out. The fire was frightening but equally or more frightening was the fact that I had no control of a vehicle going 55 mph. I was blessed that I did not kill someone nor myself.
I left for work early morning still dark and was 4 miles from home driving 55 mph when I entered a bridge, all lights lit up on dashboard and engine shut off locking the steering wheel. Fortunately when I turned the ignition key the engine restarted which allowed me to exit the bridge. Engine again quit and another restart allowed me to get off the highway. Dash board instruments went crazy. I did remember seeing the message 'low brake fluid', immobilizer, see manual. By this time I see smoke coming from the dashboard near the glove compartment area and smoke becomes thicker and thicker. Windshield wiper system started spraying water until reservoir was empty. Smoke filled the car rapidly. I gathered my belongings from inside and set them away from the car. I could not open the trunk. By now smoke was coming from entire dash board. I was fortunate that it never turned to flames. Once the entire electrical system had burned, the fire went out. The fire was frightening but equally or more frightening was the fact that I had no control of a vehicle going 55 mph. I was blessed that I did not kill someone nor myself.
2005 Volvo S40 T5 was the culprit.
- marcyw, Gainesville, GA, US