Burning smell from AC - Ford Explorer Ranger Enthusiasts "Serious Explorations"®

Jason94sport · 07-13-2006, 08:40 AM

The last few weeks I've been getting a burning smell from my AC when in normal or max settings. Smells like burning wood. I don't get it from the heater. My cooling system is all new, My AC is charged. All my fan speeds work. All vent directions work. Resistor looks fine. Pulled out the blower motor/fan & it looks fine. I checked all my wiring under the dash(I have a lot of it) & nothing is burnt or looks damaged. The smell goes away after 10-15 minutes. Once it sits & I restart it I get the smell again. I don't see any smoke from the vents, or under the hood. Could my compressor be going? It seems to work ok, but it does make a little hum noise. I imagine it would be AC releated since it doesn't smell with the heat going. I have never used the heat either. No need in South FL. The AC however is on all year.
Any ideas?
Thanks

Jason94sport · 07-14-2006, 08:01 AM

Bump..... if it is the compressor I need to order it by friday afternoon.

**Glacier991** · 07-15-2006, 01:24 AM

Anything you smell from the vents is unrelated to the system's components or refrigerant (unless maybe it was a fan motor issue) ... it is generally environmental. Maybe mold etc.

Jason94sport · 07-17-2006, 08:43 AM

I doubt it's environmental. It doesn't happen all the time, & stops after 15 mins or so. It happens with normal & max settings. It's a bit worse in max. It doesn't happen with the heat, or the fan going with the AC off. It's also happens 100 miles from my house, or 1 mile away. Doesn't matter where I am.

07-13-2006, 08:40 AM	#1
Jason94sport Wannabe Elite Explorer South FL 94 XLT Auto ----Sold Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 2,778 Vehicle Specs	Burning smell from AC The last few weeks I've been getting a burning smell from my AC when in normal or max settings. Smells like burning wood. I don't get it from the heater. My cooling system is all new, My AC is charged. All my fan speeds work. All vent directions work. Resistor looks fine. Pulled out the blower motor/fan & it looks fine. I checked all my wiring under the dash(I have a lot of it) & nothing is burnt or looks damaged. The smell goes away after 10-15 minutes. Once it sits & I restart it I get the smell again. I don't see any smoke from the vents, or under the hood. Could my compressor be going? It seems to work ok, but it does make a little hum noise. I imagine it would be AC releated since it doesn't smell with the heat going. I have never used the heat either. No need in South FL. The AC however is on all year. Any ideas? Thanks __________________ 1994 XLT 4X4--- Sold

07-14-2006, 08:01 AM	#2
Jason94sport Wannabe Elite Explorer South FL 94 XLT Auto ----Sold Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 2,778 Vehicle Specs	Bump..... if it is the compressor I need to order it by friday afternoon.

07-15-2006, 01:24 AM	#3
Glacier991 EF Tranny Guru Sacramento, CA 95827 1992 XLT Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 9,779 Vehicle Specs	Anything you smell from the vents is unrelated to the system's components or refrigerant (unless maybe it was a fan motor issue) ... it is generally environmental. Maybe mold etc.

07-17-2006, 08:43 AM	#4
Jason94sport Wannabe Elite Explorer South FL 94 XLT Auto ----Sold Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 2,778 Vehicle Specs	I doubt it's environmental. It doesn't happen all the time, & stops after 15 mins or so. It happens with normal & max settings. It's a bit worse in max. It doesn't happen with the heat, or the fan going with the AC off. It's also happens 100 miles from my house, or 1 mile away. Doesn't matter where I am.