Notices
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks

Hot Electrical Stink

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 4, 2019 | 12:25 PM
  #1  
Scndsin's Avatar
Scndsin
Thread Starter
|
FTE Chapter Leader
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 12,343
Likes: 1,318
From: Central Mississippi
Club FTE Silver Member

Hot Electrical Stink

Under hood, passenger side.

Using a wrapping paper tube & with my snoz poked in one end, it seems to emanate from the area of HVAC box.

I can turn my electric fan off (no it's not that) so there is no drafts when the engine is running & use the tube to "sniff".

Not coming from the starter or it's wiring or anything on the drivers side.

When the fan resistors (or fans themselves) give up the ghost, do the start to give hot electrical stink?

Tried this theory out by driving around with heat/ac completely off & seems gone. (some odor, I've just worked on the exhaust)

Ideas?
 
Reply
Old Oct 4, 2019 | 05:34 PM
  #2  
woodson84's Avatar
woodson84
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 156
Likes: 6
From: San Jose, CA
Originally Posted by Scndsin
Under hood, passenger side.
Using a wrapping paper tube & with my snoz poked in one end
I think we need pics :P
I can turn my electric fan off (no it's not that) so there is no drafts when the engine is running & use the tube to "sniff".
Not coming from the starter or it's wiring or anything on the drivers side.
When the fan resistors (or fans themselves) give up the ghost, do the start to give hot electrical stink?
The insulation on the fan's motor certainly will have the smell but they're certainly not long for this world once you start to smell em.
I'd guess the resistor could be going bad too. They're usually cheap enough.
On that side there are a couple other electrical things like the AC pressure switch but I wouldn't think it would make any smells.
Pretty sure the horn relay is over there too inside the cab tho.
 
Reply
Old Oct 4, 2019 | 07:32 PM
  #3  
torq'ta 5 8's Avatar
torq'ta 5 8
Lead Driver
5 Year Member
Shutterbug
Liked
Loved
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 5,084
Likes: 868
From: N.W. Alabama
if resistors are on the medium/big(wattage) size, they can smell like a motor when it starts burning the varnish cambric tape off them, then the magic blue smoke, soon leaves.
 
Reply
Old Oct 5, 2019 | 12:53 AM
  #4  
Scndsin's Avatar
Scndsin
Thread Starter
|
FTE Chapter Leader
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 12,343
Likes: 1,318
From: Central Mississippi
Club FTE Silver Member

I've never torn into the HVAC box. Getting ready for a road trip.

Is the resistor accessed inside the cab or under hood?
 
Reply
Old Oct 5, 2019 | 01:49 AM
  #5  
White 97 xlt's Avatar
White 97 xlt
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,728
Likes: 8
From: Cleveland, TN
Originally Posted by Scndsin
I've never torn into the HVAC box. Getting ready for a road trip.

Is the resistor accessed inside the cab or under hood?
Under hood, just below and a little to the right of the blower motor.. Be sure to check the plug, any discoloration is probably too much, if it's getting hot it will most likely be the stinker...
 
Reply
Old Oct 5, 2019 | 07:19 AM
  #6  
subford's Avatar
subford
Fleet Owner
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 23,668
Likes: 301
From: Easton,Ks
Sounds like what someone posted when their truck burned up.
Leaves and debris touching the resisters started the fire.
There were also photos of the truck burning on this site back when it was posted.

So do not turn on the fan until you clean out the junk from the resisters.
 
Reply
Old Oct 5, 2019 | 08:18 AM
  #7  
Scndsin's Avatar
Scndsin
Thread Starter
|
FTE Chapter Leader
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 12,343
Likes: 1,318
From: Central Mississippi
Club FTE Silver Member

Originally Posted by White 97 xlt
Under hood, just below and a little to the right of the blower motor.. Be sure to check the plug, any discoloration is probably too much, if it's getting hot it will most likely be the stinker...
Thanks, I thought it was in the cab behind glove box area. Will check this AM.

Originally Posted by subford
Sounds like what someone posted when their truck burned up.
Leaves and debris touching the resisters started the fire.
Yes, what I certainly was trying to avoid.

Have scrupulously tried to keep everything possible out of the cowl, vents & other areas
 
Reply
Old Oct 5, 2019 | 10:49 AM
  #8  
Scndsin's Avatar
Scndsin
Thread Starter
|
FTE Chapter Leader
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 12,343
Likes: 1,318
From: Central Mississippi
Club FTE Silver Member

Subford called it on the trash. Had no idea it could get down that far.



Unfortunately I can't find any residual stink on the resistor pack or the fan.

Ran the fan & sniffed on the motor vent, nothing.

No distorted wires or connections

Coils on the resistor pack clean & silver. Thermal fuse MAY have some discoloration or it could be dirt.

Bill do you have a value, rating or some # on that fuse? Not that I could find one today.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-3

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
Old Oct 5, 2019 | 11:07 AM
  #9  
subford's Avatar
subford
Fleet Owner
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 23,668
Likes: 301
From: Easton,Ks
What fuse???
 
Reply
Old Oct 5, 2019 | 12:49 PM
  #10  
Scndsin's Avatar
Scndsin
Thread Starter
|
FTE Chapter Leader
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 12,343
Likes: 1,318
From: Central Mississippi
Club FTE Silver Member

Thermal fuse on resistor assembly.
 
Reply
Old Oct 5, 2019 | 01:03 PM
  #11  
subford's Avatar
subford
Fleet Owner
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 23,668
Likes: 301
From: Easton,Ks
Order the part from NTE Electronics. It is 121 degree C value and it comes with little crimps and instructions.
More info:
https://www.instructables.com/id/Blo...e-Replacement/

Name:  CmEtk1S.png
Views: 27
Size:  278.4 KB
/
 
Reply
Old Oct 7, 2019 | 03:09 PM
  #12  
Scndsin's Avatar
Scndsin
Thread Starter
|
FTE Chapter Leader
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 12,343
Likes: 1,318
From: Central Mississippi
Club FTE Silver Member

Solved. A spark plug wire seperator had come apart.

It fell down on the header & since they are wrapped, it did not fully melt & burn.

While checking timing, saw a little wisp from tween 3 & 4, hit it with flash light & there it was down leaning from boot to header tube.

Thank you all who responded. Just thankful it wasn't a fire hazard & I got the trash off the resistor preventing another.
 
Reply
Old Oct 7, 2019 | 03:22 PM
  #13  
rla2005's Avatar
rla2005
Fleet Owner
20 Year Member
Community Builder
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 20,789
Likes: 1,753
From: Kentucky
Good thing you found the root cause before the truck caught fire..



More in this thread: So My '96 Burned to the Ground Last Night
 
Reply
Old Oct 7, 2019 | 05:14 PM
  #14  
Scndsin's Avatar
Scndsin
Thread Starter
|
FTE Chapter Leader
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 12,343
Likes: 1,318
From: Central Mississippi
Club FTE Silver Member

Never-ever saw that one...

Don't know how I missed it.

Thank you again 97xlt & subford.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
crazyrwe
2009 - 2014 F150
8
Jul 21, 2013 11:15 AM
bass-n-fire
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
13
Aug 3, 2011 08:24 PM
dirtduck48
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
3
Jun 17, 2010 01:30 PM
timrocker
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
18
Jun 11, 2007 03:04 PM
Tranzmaan
Ford Inline Six, 200, 250, 4.9L / 300
6
Sep 17, 2003 05:04 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:46 AM.

story-0
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-2
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE