01MAR99: HAD PARKED & LEFT VEHICLE IDLING. RETURNED HEARD NOISE. ARRIVED HOME & NOTICED HEAVY SMOKE. VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER HOOD. FIRE DEPT ARRIVED & EXTINGUISEHD THE FLAMES. INFORMED CONSUMER THAT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM UNDER HOOD. HAD HAPPENEDED AGAIN ON MAY 11,Y99. SAME PROBLEM & FIRE. ALSO, SOMETIMES HARD TO START VEHICLE. REPLACED BATTERY & STARTER BEFORE FIRES. EACH TIME HAD WORKED FOR A WHILE & THEN FAILED. *AK