Uhaul Wiring Melted

[Frugal Floater]

I had Uhaul install my trailer wiring...I kept smelling a burning smell...Then my blinker would stay on and fuses started blowing...Come to fine out, the Uhaul wiring module melted and created all kinds of cross currents...I am glad my Escape did not catch fire!..I am taking it back to Uhaul and hope they will replace it at no charge. I think maybe salty/icy winter roads may have starting this meltdown, but not sure. I clipped the wires and capped them off and all seems good untill I can get it fixed.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Uhaul Wiring Melted

Probably just a faulty module. The module is there to convert your seperate brake/turn lights to a single light. There is just an integrated circuit in there. It probably failed and caused your problems. I would think they would replace it for you free.

Most of these are potted so that moisture can't get into the circuitry. If not, I can see why it failed and the next one could do the same thing.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Uhaul Wiring Melted

[colour=blue]Is there no circuit protection for the modules? A fuse is useless if it blows AFTER the meltdown.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Uhaul Wiring Melted

Things can melt and not blow a fuse if the fuse is large enough,

For example, 15A fuse and the mdule is drawing 10A...that is a 120 watt power dissipation in that module!

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Uhaul Wiring Melted

Murphy's law: Electronic correlary; The 100 dollar module will protect the fifteen cent fuse by melting first. Always works.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Uhaul Wiring Melted

[colour=blue]

Things can melt and not blow a fuse if the fuse is large enough,

Your preaching to the choir...................

 

[Frugal Floater]

Re: Uhaul Wiring Melted

When I googled "Uhaul Wiring Melt" I was bombarded by many people having this exact issue...In some cases it caused a lot of damage to their vehicle that was not covered by warranty since it was a Uhaul product. In all cases, most thought it was the saltwater during winter driving that caused the meltdown...Uhaul should recall these things or install them in a more protected area...this could not only cause damage, but it could cause an accident/fire.

My advice is to make sure this module is protected from spray if you have one mounted under your rear bumper.

 

[paulie0735]

Re: Uhaul Wiring Melted

...I kept smelling a burning smell... and fuses started blowing...

I'm guessing they will want to know why you didn't return it when it started blowing fuses and you first smelt the burning.........................!

 

[Frugal Floater]

Re: Uhaul Wiring Melted

Took my Escape to Uhaul...they replaced all of the wiring at no charge. They said it probably was the terminal plug and lack of cover/grease...In any case, they said Uhaul should have installed a cover for the terminal and packed it with grease.

No questions asked...100% free. Sometimes things do work out!

 

[demsvmejm]

Re: Uhaul Wiring Melted

Can we say CYA? If there is such widespread problem as you indicated there is a massive lawsuit just waiting to happen, and U Haul know it, so they will blame the cover/grease (always a good idea, but not 100% effective) and replace it for free, but try to get any other damage covered and there you would probably have a fight. Lawsuits are becoming a cost of doing business and big business calculates which is the greater cost, the potential lawsuits, or a "recall". Guess which they figure is the less costly/probable in this case.