Electrical electrical smell

[justin82]

hey guys another question...lol
driving, suddenly smell what I think was electrical...last a little bit,...I thought I was the alternator, but car hasn't died yet...ran it for about a half hour last night...any thiughts?...

thanks for answering all my questions all the time!

 

[Mustang5L5]

Do you mean you got a whiff of ozone that can sometimes be created by static electricity or other electrical discharge?

 

[justin82]

not sure man.....smell stayed in the cabin ...eventually went away, obviously....what's an electrical discharge?

 

[Mustang5L5]

Well, there's the electrical burning smell which usually smells like plastic and rubber or whatever the connector is made of when it melts.

And there's the ozone smell like 1980s video games when a spark flashes in air and creates ozone. Usually open sparking (electrical discharge) causes this

 

[justin82]

Well, there's the electrical burning smell which usually smells like plastic and rubber or whatever the connector is made of when it melts.

And there's the ozone smell like 1980s video games when a spark flashes in air and creates ozone. Usually open sparking (electrical discharge) causes this

I guess I'll look for melted plastic?

 

[General karthief]

Look at the plug on the alternator real good.

 

[justin82]

k..thanks man

 

[General karthief]

Another place to check for overheated wires/connections are the ignition switch on the lower part of the steering column and the head light and multifunction switchs

 

[justin82]

Another place to check for overheated wires/connections are the ignition switch on the lower part of the steering column and the head light and multifunction switchs

thanks man

 

[WillWho?]

The 89.5 had a replacement alternator plug. Mine melted a few times and I replaced it with original parts. Finally I used high amp aircraft wiring and built my own, voila! Problem solved.

The ignition switch had a recall and if it has not been replaced, contact a local dealer to set an appointment.

The fog light switch also had overheating problems. I bought a new switch and a light relay. Then rewired with high amp aircraft wire and, voila! Eventually I bypassed the bright light switch that turned off the fog lights when I switched on the brights.

 

[justin82]

I forgot, it only seems to happen I really step on it

 

[Mustang5L5]

Pop the hood immediately after and go smell the alternator

 

[justin82]

Pop the hood immediately after and go smell the alternator

thanks man....I will....tomorrow...police been wanting to replace it anyways, I'm sure its original....but I'll smell it next time it happens, damn....I wanted to drive it tomorrow to work...supposed to be 70s tomorrow

 

[justin82]

I dont see any melted wires, I do happen to have a. ignition switch....i just bought an alternator and the 2 new plugs that I'll have to splice to attach....hope that solves it

 

[justin82]

I really want to drive it tomorrow, can i?

 

[Mustang5L5]

Unfortunately that's your call. I'd keep a fire extinguisher in the car though

 

[justin82]

Unfortunately that's your call. I'd keep a fire extinguisher in the car though

what....seriously?

 

[Mustang5L5]

If something is actually burning up electrically, there's always risk of a fire.

 

[justin82]

If something is actually burning up electrically, there's always risk of a fire.

I just dont know where else to look and it's not a constant smell, that's what confuses me

 

[justin82]

so...I let it run on the side of my house for about 45min...no fire...good?...and off topic, but this an easy fix?...