Burnt Smell Coming From The Vent

**PG2** · 08-07-2019, 05:19 PM

Hi Everyone

I went to drive the ute today and could smell something burning. The next thing I know, there was smoke coming out of the centre vents and around the centre console.

I have pulled the centre 'egg' and glovebox out trying to find if there was any sort of evidence of a burnt plug and/or wires. I have not so far been able to locate anything that would indicate that it was electrical but there very well could be something hidden behind something that I am not aware of.

Also, everything is working as it should. The fan is not making any funny noises.

I have put everything back in and now I can only smell the burnt smell when I turn the fan on though the smell does disappear after a minute or so. The weird thing is that I can smell the burnt smell through the centre vents but not so much the side vents.

While it seems to have fixed itself at the moment I hate it when something does fix itself as it only comes back to bite you on the **** at the worst possible time. On top of that, if it does play up again, I don't want to be stuck on the highway watching the car burn to the ground.

Sorry for the long post, but I just wanted to explain in detail what has happened. Any help would be appreciated.

**aussiblue** · 08-07-2019, 05:21 PM

Dead leave in the fan duct started burning when you turned the heater on perhaps.

**PG2** · 08-07-2019, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aussiblue

Dead leave in the fan duct started burning when you turned the heater on perhaps.

It could be, when I bought it last year I had to clean a lot a rubbish out of it. When I pulled out the centre vent today the vent pipes were covered in thick slimy dirt (for the want of a better description).

Quote:

Originally Posted by JasonACT

Can you describe the smell in more detail? Toxic? Wire's heating up? I'd link to Cav's 18 years of farting post, but that might be going too far.

I can't see where any of the wires were heating up. As soon as it did it I pulled out the stereo and could not find anything hot.

Yeah, a toxic smell - like burnt plastic or wiring. Not so toxic as to be Cav's farts though - he is not allowed anywhere near my car!

Quote:

Originally Posted by aussiblue

Can't be that as PG2 is still alive it seems.

I have smelt one of Cav's farts and survived... just.

JasonACT · 08-07-2019, 05:44 PM

Can you describe the smell in more detail? Toxic? Wire's heating up? I'd link to Cav's 18 years of farting post, but that might be going too far.

**aussiblue** · 08-07-2019, 05:48 PM

Quote:

I'd link to Cav's 18 years of farting

Can't be that as PG2 is still alive it seems.

**aussiblue** · 08-07-2019, 06:36 PM

It might mean that debris in the vent has corroded through the casing of the fan speed controller and it may soon ultimately fail. See https://fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11319441 etc Pull the fan speed controller module and see if the T0-3 Transistor casing where it sits inside the vent has corroded.

**PG2** · 08-07-2019, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aussiblue

It might mean that debris in the vent has corroded through the casing of the fan speed controller and it may soon ultimately fail. See https://fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11319441 etc Pull the fan speed controller module and see if the T0-3 Transistor casing where it sits inside the vent has corroded.

Thanks mate.

Where is the fan speed controller? How do I get it out?

I've just been down to the car and have no idea what I am looking at and/or for.

**aussiblue** · 08-07-2019, 07:31 PM

It only applies if you have climate control but you need to remove the glove box and it's a silver rectangular box that is screwed against the duct just below the fan. Or download the factory workshop manual from https://www.motorcraftservice.com/ and Section 16-3-12 shows a picture with removal instructions. Edit: Like this: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/FORD-AU-...kAAOSwSOJc5jGl Not that ebay one has a corroded transistor case and will also soon fail if it hasn't already.

**PG2** · 08-07-2019, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aussiblue

It only applies if you have climate control but you need to remove the glove box and it's a silver rectangular box that is screwed against the duct just below the fan. Or download the factory workshop manual from https://www.motorcraftservice.com/ and Section 16-3-12 shows a picture with removal instructions.

Ahhhhh, I don't have climate control.

**aussiblue** · 08-07-2019, 07:43 PM

PS In any event while you have the fan speed controller out, stick the nozzle of your vacuum cleaner in there and vacuum all the old leaves and other debris out. Also look at the heater core for any green stains indicating coolant seepage.

**aussiblue** · 08-07-2019, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Ahhhhh, I don't have climate control.

You will then have a resistor pack in the same position that will get leaves and debris to burnt and short so pull that and vacuum it too. like this: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Ford-Fal...frcectupt=true

JasonACT · 08-07-2019, 07:51 PM

Yeah, I'm thinking the resistor pack too..

http://wwww.fordforums.com.au/showth...ts#post4874065
http://wwww.fordforums.com.au/showth...ts#post4921461
http://wwww.fordforums.com.au/showth...ts#post4648506

**PG2** · 08-07-2019, 08:44 PM

Aussie and Jason, I don't think you both are giving me enough credit for how stupid I really am.

Where exactly is the resistor?

snap0964 · 08-07-2019, 08:54 PM

That's what I thought of first - the fan resistors.
If it happens again, select full speed as the resistors are taken out of the circuit.
Some pics here of pre AU's, so it should be nearby.
http://www.fordmods.com/ford-technic...ate-control-d8

**aussiblue** · 08-07-2019, 08:52 PM

Right there in the centre of your picture behind the brown and grey plug and socket for the power cable for the fan that also plugs into the resistor pack at one end. You'll have to remove that metal bracket first.

JasonACT · 08-07-2019, 09:06 PM

Don't let Cav see that picture - it looks like some rust and we will never see the end of it.

Citroënbender · 08-07-2019, 09:09 PM

No, that’s deteriorated weatherstripping foam and the grey fresh/recirc flap.

The rust is further up, I can smell it.

**PG2** · 08-07-2019, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JasonACT

Don't let Cav see that picture - it looks like some rust and we will never see the end of it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

No, that’s deteriorated weatherstripping foam and the grey fresh/recirc flap.

The rust is further up, I can smell it.

I checked that earlier. It is like cloth. Actually, there is some blue almost T-shirt like material stuck behind it.

I wouldn't surprise me if it has rust up there - there amount of damp crap I have got out of the nooks and crannies in this car has been amazing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

There’s only two good reasons debris are there. Rust or vermin.

I found an ants nest inside the left inner guard.

**PG2** · 08-07-2019, 09:11 PM

Just pulled out the fan resistor. While no leaves were stuck in the coils, a heap of debris fell out of the hole when I pulled the resistor out. Guess what the debris smelt like?

A big shout out to aussiblue and JasonACT for their help. Without it, I was pulling the dash out on Thursday.

Citroënbender · 08-07-2019, 09:13 PM

There’s only two good reasons debris are there. Rust or vermin.

**aussiblue** · 08-07-2019, 09:22 PM

Quote:

There’s only two good reasons debris are there. Rust or vermin.

Unfortunately thin leaves like those from peppermint trees, wattles, pine needles etc can get past the cowl grill etc and get in there particularly is regularly parked under trees or bushes. As discussed elsewhere, behind that resistor pack or fan speed controller is also a reputed coveted hidey hole for little green bags of certain "herbs" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4b1wt3-zpzQ

Citroënbender · 08-07-2019, 09:33 PM

The blue fabric was to dampen the flap noise I think, it seems to be on all of them. It can come partially unstuck and stop the flap operating correctly.

snap0964 · 08-07-2019, 10:12 PM

I think you're right - they do make a clunking noise without that fabric - I wonder if the AU recirc boxes need repairing like the E series ones ?
I normally glue some flyscreen to the tops of those, and to the underside of the wiper arm cowls - cures that blower motor 'ticking'.

Citroënbender · 08-07-2019, 10:37 PM

I still think it would be a good idea to pull the dash out, clean everything properly and replace all the crumbled foam.

But I’m OCD like that. And it’s definitely not a one day job.

**PG2** · 08-07-2019, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

I still think it would be a good idea to pull the dash out, clean everything properly and replace all the crumbled foam.

But I’m OCD like that. And it’s definitely not a one day job.

Don't worry, I'm OCD too. I got in there where I could reach today and cleaned it all.

I probably will pull the dash out when we move closer to my current place of work. At the moment, I am doing 1,200k a week just to and from work and need the car going and reliable.

snap0964 · 08-07-2019, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

I still think it would be a good idea to pull the dash out, clean everything properly and replace all the crumbled foam.

But I’m OCD like that. And it’s definitely not a one day job.

Yeah, it's one of those jobs you need to provide some logistics - first thing I do is make a list of all the repairs that require the dash out - recirc box fix, screen/floor flap repair, evaporator, heater core, blower motor service, two piece pedalbox, etc.

**aussiblue** · 08-07-2019, 09:31 PM

Quote:

It is like cloth. Actually, there is some blue almost T-shirt like material stuck behind it.

So you think using blue bag instead of a little green one will disguise the illicit contents ?

**aussiblue** · 08-07-2019, 10:47 PM

Quote:

I still think it would be a good idea to pull the dash out, clean everything properly and replace all the crumbled foam.

Nah; I'd recommend you wait until the heater core fails and/or AC evaporator, as they inevitably will in the next year or so, and do that then; not a job to do more often than needed. Meantime a vacuum nozzle in the floor vents and behind that resistor pack hole will get most of it.