Electrical burning smell - driver side
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Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,031
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Electrical burning smell - driver side
Yesterday, returning from a camping trip in the Texas Panhandle, during my fueling stops I noticed a strong smell of hot electrical while fueling. Not in the vehicle.
First time discounted it as an environmental issue in the area. About 150 miles later - about as far as this truck will get on a tank of gasoline with the travel trailer - I encountered the smell again. Investigated a little. It was strongest under the driver's side front wheel well. Popped the hood and nothing seemed out of order and smell was not noticed (but then again, I am 5' 7" and the truck is about 5 feet to the engine.
By the time I had gone in to the store, paid for some lottery and return the smell had dissipated.
When we pulled into RV storage, it was breezy and did not detect the smell, but did not make a real effort as I was busy getting ready to drop off the trailer.
First time discounted it as an environmental issue in the area. About 150 miles later - about as far as this truck will get on a tank of gasoline with the travel trailer - I encountered the smell again. Investigated a little. It was strongest under the driver's side front wheel well. Popped the hood and nothing seemed out of order and smell was not noticed (but then again, I am 5' 7" and the truck is about 5 feet to the engine.
By the time I had gone in to the store, paid for some lottery and return the smell had dissipated.
When we pulled into RV storage, it was breezy and did not detect the smell, but did not make a real effort as I was busy getting ready to drop off the trailer.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
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that was my thought too as I read this
had a 2006 F350 with a front passenger brake that would stick sometimes. Was actually smoking at a stoplight one time.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2014
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Truck has 11,700 miles. Not a lot of braking on this run (wide open Texas FMs/State highways), but the location would match up with front brakes getting hot. However, no similar smell on the passenger side.
Hotshot
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From: Chaz
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More Turbo
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I did a tow when my truck had like 800 miles. I too noticed a smilier smell but I dont smell it anymore. I think mine it was just the usual stuff burning off. And like you I smelled it out of truck. I no longer smell anything anymore out of the ordinary.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2014
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Dealer called today. Nothing found, but techs suggested it could be related to brakes while towing. Had a couple of alerts show up on my app I mentioned to them, but not sure if the checked them (guessing they did a full scan). One was "malfunction indicator lamp - regulatory: engine system has detected a fault. The other was "Charge system fault."
Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2021
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I experienced the same smell from truck today as well I was not towing anything but was running truck hard trying to make my kids soccer game lol.
smell was driver side only. My first thought was a spark plug wire melting?
smell was driver side only. My first thought was a spark plug wire melting?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 1,089
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From: PG, BC, Canada
I too have had this a few times, but on the passenger side, I am starting to think that in my case it has something to do with the hub not releasing fully once in awhile, after I had it in 4X4...