[mreid]

So the wife and I are driving from Philly to Pittsburgh to see my niece. We're in the 1986 930. Suddenly smoke starts pouring out of the dash vents, so I quickly pull over and smoke is pouring out of the hood. I pop it open and the carpet over the battery is on fire! I grabbed the wife's water bottle and put it out. On closer inspection, there's a black plastic sphere with a single two pronged plug going into it and it burned up from an electrical short. It appears to be part of the ventilation, but I'm not sure as we were on 579 in the median during rush hour with everyone in a hurry to get home. What is the component?

Fortunately, the paint didn't bubble, but the device and carpet are destroyed. I checked everything out, disconnected the plug, and we were on our way with no further problem.

Pictures to follow when I get home.