Electrical Smell
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Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2010
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From: Toledo
Electrical Smell
I have an electrical odor coming from my vents. I always smell it when I start the vehicle. Other then that its not continuous just intermittent. I did have the passengers side front running board light short out and have since cut it off until its warmer to replace it. I wrapped it in electrical tape and stuck it back in the running board. I did have the odor when the fuse was burn out for the running board light. I replaced the pressure switch for the cruse control last year. I was thinking the blower might be going bad. Anyone else have any ideas of what it may be? 
Any help is as always greatly appreciated! 
Any help is as always greatly appreciated!
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2012
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If the blower is on its way out I would think it would be making some noise as well? Does it seminar to be drawing a lot of current (lights dimming)? You say when starting.... maybe the starter or the cables to the starter? You have thrown a ton of variables into the equation! Start with a process of elimination.....
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From: Toledo
Thanks for the reply's. I looked at it today a little closer. I turned the key to on and turned on the blower. I did not notice the smell or hear any odd noise coming from the blower. I have no issues with the lights dimming or any other odd problem other then the recent running board light shorting out and blowing the fuse. The burning smell was right after the running board issue. I then turned the heater to off and started the truck and noticed the burnt smell again. I'm guessing it may be the alternator. 
I do hear a small squeaking noise from up front but can't exactly tell where its coming from because it does not last very long. There is a black powder like residue on the face of the alternator not sure if its from normal wear of the belt or where it came from. I'm going to take the belt off and see how free the shaft turns tomorrow. I know I need a new water pump so I'm guessing that is were the squeaking is coming from.
I do hear a small squeaking noise from up front but can't exactly tell where its coming from because it does not last very long. There is a black powder like residue on the face of the alternator not sure if its from normal wear of the belt or where it came from. I'm going to take the belt off and see how free the shaft turns tomorrow. I know I need a new water pump so I'm guessing that is were the squeaking is coming from.
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From: Toledo
I think it is either the alt or the water pump that has a shaft binding up. I think the smell is the belt dragging across at pulley that is very hard to turn. That may explain the black dust on the face of the alt. The guage is reading OK but this would not be the first time my alt quit and it didn't show up. I just need time to slip the belt loose and check it out.
I just need time to slip the belt loose and check it out.
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I think it is either the alt or the water pump that has a shaft binding up. I think the smell is the belt dragging across at pulley that is very hard to turn. That may explain the black dust on the face of the alt. The guage is reading OK but this would not be the first time my alt quit and it didn't show up. I just need time to slip the belt loose and check it out.
I just need time to slip the belt loose and check it out.FTE Stories
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From: Toledo
So I took the belt off yesterday and spun the alt and water pump both. The water pump I know needs replaced it has play and the bearing are loud. The alt didn't have any play but the bearing are loud so it will need replaced. I think I'll replace the belt anyways. The back of the belt is shiny and the face of it has a bunch of cracks so I'm guessing it time for a new one. I don't think that is the cause of the smell.
Of course, after I did this later in the day it started missing. I'm thinking I either have a coil going bad or a boot grounding out. I've never changed the plugs on this and don't know if its ever been done. I bought the vehicle with 113K on it and it had 170K. Does anyone know or ever had a coil go bad and or a boot ground out causing the odor I smell? To find the bad coil can I just unplug the coils one at a time and start it. If it gets worse its not the one that is currently missing?
Of course, after I did this later in the day it started missing. I'm thinking I either have a coil going bad or a boot grounding out. I've never changed the plugs on this and don't know if its ever been done. I bought the vehicle with 113K on it and it had 170K. Does anyone know or ever had a coil go bad and or a boot ground out causing the odor I smell? To find the bad coil can I just unplug the coils one at a time and start it. If it gets worse its not the one that is currently missing?
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From: Toledo
After reading other posts on here I started unplugging the coils on the engine one at a time. I found if I unplug the second coil on the right side of the motor (facing the engine) I had no change in how the engine ran. I'm guessing this is where my problem lies. My though it to change out the plugs and all the boots as the cheapest method to take care of the problem, hepefully. This stuff couldn't happen at a worse time. I'm trying to finish our new house and get stuff moved and now this. Murphy's Law sucks!!!!
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After reading other posts on here I started unplugging the coils on the engine one at a time. I found if I unplug the second coil on the right side of the motor (facing the engine) I had no change in how the engine ran. I'm guessing this is where my problem lies. My though it to change out the plugs and all the boots as the cheapest method to take care of the problem, hepefully. This stuff couldn't happen at a worse time. I'm trying to finish our new house and get stuff moved and now this. Murphy's Law sucks!!!!
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From: Toledo
I changed out the right side today. The first plug was 60+ for the gap all the others were 90-100. 
Surprised it ran. The miss I had was still there but not as noticeable. (hopefully will be taken care of when I do the other side) I still need to do the left side yet. All and all they looked pretty good. The boots looked OK but replaced them anyways. When unplugging the coils and as suggested in one of the posts the fuel injector elec connection also I noticed my clips that hold the fuel injectors connection securely broke off. 
The connection is still good but may come off. Either I need to get a new harness or just use small zip ties to keep them one. I was hoping to find the source of the odor the I keep smelling but no luck yet.
Surprised it ran. The miss I had was still there but not as noticeable. (hopefully will be taken care of when I do the other side) I still need to do the left side yet. All and all they looked pretty good. The boots looked OK but replaced them anyways. When unplugging the coils and as suggested in one of the posts the fuel injector elec connection also I noticed my clips that hold the fuel injectors connection securely broke off. The connection is still good but may come off. Either I need to get a new harness or just use small zip ties to keep them one. I was hoping to find the source of the odor the I keep smelling but no luck yet.
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From: Toledo
Changed out two more plugs on the right today same issue huge gap for the plug. I have only three left to change of course they are the ones that are pain to get to. So far all the plugs have came out OK and have went in OK. I've noticed the truck is getting harder to start like the battery is getting weaker. I think my alt is not putting out enough to charge the battery or its just the cold getting to it. I'll post pictures of my plugs after I get them all changed. I'm using Autolite AP103 Platinum replacing the Motorcraft platinum plugs that were it it.
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