Smoke and burnt electric smell

[idanny76]

Today my 2016 Ford Explorer Limited started giving a burnt electronic smell coming from the passager fardest vent. I smelled the other AC vents and is coming strong out of that single vent. I have had that happen to me before on my 2012 Ford Fusion SEL and before that on a Dodge caravan. On both cases it was a bad blower motor pulling too many amps and melting the electrical wires. I am thinking it could be the blower motor.

The other issue I am having but it only happens when I speed up fast to get into the highway or just accelerating very fast.... I get an exhaust smell inside the car through the AC vents, but it goes away after a couple of minutes. I don't have that smell while driving at any speeds, just when fast acceleration.

Has anyone had dealt with either or both issues before. Tomorrow I am going to inspect the blower motor wiring and the exhaust. Just trying to see if there's a common issue that people have dealt with. Thanks for anyone here willing to help me out.... Greatly appreciated it.

 

[peterk9]

As for your 2nd issue, did you ever have the following done by the dealer?

Customer Satisfaction Program 19N05 - Carbon Monoxide Concern - 2011-2017 Ford Explorer

NHTSA ID Number: 10162412

ford.oemdtc.com

Peter

 

[idanny76]

As for your 2nd issue, did you ever have the following done by the dealer?

Customer Satisfaction Program 19N05 - Carbon Monoxide Concern - 2011-2017 Ford Explorer

NHTSA ID Number: 10162412

ford.oemdtc.com

Peter

No, because I bought the car last year in June. I don't know if the previous owner took it in for that service. I didn't really pay too much attention to it because I usually don't do fast acceleration. Recently I had to travel long distances on the highway and had to accelete rapidly very frequent. But it doesn't happen during normal driving conditions. The service for that expired in 2022. What would I need to check and inspect if I were to do that myself?

 

[peterk9]

No, because I bought the car last year in June. I don't know if the previous owner took it in for that service. I didn't really pay too much attention to it because I usually don't do fast acceleration. Recently I had to travel long distances on the highway and had to accelete rapidly very frequent. But it doesn't happen during normal driving conditions. The service for that expired in 2022. What would I need to check and inspect if I were to do that myself?

Your dealer should be able to find out using OASIS whether or not 17N03 or 19N05 were done on your vehicle.
Here is another FSA (17N03) on the same issue. If you pull up the article and scroll down, it will give you an idea of what is involved. The climate control module also has to be reprogrammed.

Customer Satisfaction Program 17N03 - Carbon Monoxide Concerns - 2011-2017 Ford Explorer

NHTSA ID Number: 10153981

ford.oemdtc.com

Peter

 

[idanny76]

I took the front blower motor out and yes it did smell like burnt electronics. The blower motor still works fine, but I guess I should replace it, because it will eventually burn out. I am going to try an aftermarket blower motor and see how it goes. Ford part # DG1Z-19805-D is the part number. Now I am going to check out the links and read about the exhaust smell. Might have to schedule an appointment is the AC console needs updating. I hope they wont charge me for the repair or if there's a charge that it will be minor. But at least I figured out the blower motor was the issue.

 

[peterk9]

Here is the OEM motor from Levittown, a forum vendor. They offer a 50% discount on shipping for forum members.

https://parts.levittownfordparts.com/oem-parts/ford-blower-motor-dg1z19805d

Peter

 

[idanny76]

According to the dealership OASIS Report CSP 17N03 was done on 1/17/2018. I guess if the CSP 17N03 was done, then there is not much that can be done. I did check and saw the Liftgate Drain Valve were replaced with the new ones. The exhaust smell comes in through the A/C vents and not through the lift gate, but its temporarily during really fast acceleration.

• Underbody Inspection and Sealing
• Air Extractor Inspection
• Liftgate Drain Valve Replacement
• Liftgate Weather Seal Inspection
• Liftgate Spoiler Inspection
• Climate Control Module Reprogramming (using IDS release 107.04 or higher)

 

[idanny76]

Here is the OEM motor from Levittown, a forum vendor. They offer a 50% discount on shipping for forum members.

https://parts.levittownfordparts.com/oem-parts/ford-blower-motor-dg1z19805d

Peter

How do I get the discount?

 

[peterk9]

How do I get the discount?

It seems you figured it out based on a reply you received from Benny.

Peter

 

[idanny76]

It seems you figured it out based on a reply you received from Benny.

Peter

Yes, I posted a message and I sent a PM. Waiting for the code to complete the order.

 

[javaleo]

You may have an exhaust link in the engine bay, or flex pipe.

 

[idanny76]

You may have an exhaust link in the engine bay, or flex pipe.

I would agree, but it's only when accelerating very fast. It's not a constant exhaust smell.

 

[peterk9]

I would agree, but it's only when accelerating very fast. It's not a constant exhaust smell.

Using the 'Search' feature, I found these that may or may not help;

Bad Exhaust/Propane Smell coming from vents...

I'm at my wits end on this... I had the Customer Satisfaction Program 17N03 done last year I believe and it seemed fine for a while (or maybe I didn't notice), but I'm getting a bad exhaust smell from the vents coming into the interior cabin - only happens with the AC is on and recirc is on...

www.explorerforum.com

Confirmed: Some Exhaust in Cabin when Acceleration issue is From the Front

Hello. Yes, It's true and confirmed at least on two Explorers has this issue including mine. After My dealer did TSB in 2016, i didn't notice the smell then it's back again. i tried to seal everything in the back of my Ex and no improvement. So i had this idea and I posted this before Bad or...

www.explorerforum.com

Peter

 

[idanny76]

Using the 'Search' feature, I found these that may or may not help;

Bad Exhaust/Propane Smell coming from vents...

I'm at my wits end on this... I had the Customer Satisfaction Program 17N03 done last year I believe and it seemed fine for a while (or maybe I didn't notice), but I'm getting a bad exhaust smell from the vents coming into the interior cabin - only happens with the AC is on and recirc is on...

www.explorerforum.com

Confirmed: Some Exhaust in Cabin when Acceleration issue is From the Front

Hello. Yes, It's true and confirmed at least on two Explorers has this issue including mine. After My dealer did TSB in 2016, i didn't notice the smell then it's back again. i tried to seal everything in the back of my Ex and no improvement. So i had this idea and I posted this before Bad or...

www.explorerforum.com

Peter

Oh man..... I read through all the 9 pages and almost got a headache. Many people trying to get rid of the smell and frustrated not being able to easily resolve it. It's not a huge issue for me, but I was trying to see if I could fix it. I will run the car and see if I get an exhaust smell from the engine bay. I will also use an endoscope to see if I can manage to see if there is a crack on the exhaust manifold. I will check all rubber seal plugs and make sure there are non missing or cracked. I never notice the smell unless is during very rapid acceleration.... its weird, because if there is a crack on the manifold leaking exhaust you would think the smell would be coming trough the A/C vents all the time. I will just run some checks today and maybe consider taking it in to Ford for another inspection. You could feel the tension on that post regarding the smell. I am just getting started since I recently bought the vehicle. Besides that minor issue and the blower motor...... This is one of the best vehicles I have ever owned. Its very comfortable inside, ride is very comfortable too...... and its a joy to drive. Will post back if I find anything.... But people kept looking for a fix to keep the exhaust out, instead of looking where the exhaust was coming from the engine bay.

 

[idanny76]

I just checked the rear of the vehicle and all the weather stripping seals and any rubber seals were in good shape and not missing or cracked in anyway. I checked any opening in the firewall and they all look sealed. I used my endoscope to check what was visible in the manifold exhaust and I did not see any cracks. I turned on the car and did not smell any exhaust fumes in the engine bay. I will check the engine bay next time after diving it to see if I get any smell when the engine is hot and has been running for some time. If that doesn't help.... I will be taking it to ford and see what they say...... but it will be after replacing the blower, because right now everything smells like burnt electronics.

 

[idanny76]

Would that hole on the cowl be an issue with smell or anything I should be concerned about?

 

[peterk9]

Hard to say. I would think the windshield would be sealed around its perimeter. You could try putting some tape over it and see if it makes a difference. There are similar threads that have been posted about the deterioration of the rubber trim.

2018 Explorer Windshield moldings side and bottom breaking down too soon

Am I the only one having issues with windshield moldings breaking down? My Explorer is only 2018 and all the rubber moldings on my windshield are cracking and breaking down. Ford does not cover it and they call it normal. Is there a recall or something? Any ideas what to do to save money to...

www.explorerforum.com

I believe this is the item if you want to order it. Levittown Ford offers forum members a discount.

Peter

 

[idanny76]

I think I figured out where the burnt smell is coming from. The other day I was messing around with the cowl hood rubber that it is broken. I notice a broken piece stuck and I tried taking it out and it fell behind the cowl cover and I forgot about it. The next day the burnt smell was very strong and that's when I put it together, that the broken cowl rubber pieces that have been braking off are falling under the back of the engine and burning. I am going to double check tomorrow to make sure, but I am almost sure that's the culprit. The rubber section braking off right is right in the middle of the windshield and probably falling on top of the exhaust. I dismantle the blower motor, replaced the air filter, removed the center console to see if any wires were burnt anywhere and did not see any. I inspected the engine for burnt connections, oil leaks and the exhaust for leaks and did not find anything. Ill check tomorrow and post back here if the rubber pieces are falling and being burned.

 

[idanny76]

Well.. Well... Well, it's not the rubber pieces from the cowl hood cover. Its worse than I thought..... It seems to be the rack and pinion power steering leaking. Here are some pictures I took from the driver side under carriage. Noticed it had a drop but I thought it was water, since here in Florida it's been raining. But today the wet area was larger and after touching it and smelling it..... It smells exactly what it's coming through the AC vents. It has to be the rack and pinion because the power steering is now making a small noise and there no oil mess any higher in the engine. I Google the estimate prices and it says it's around $2,600 for parts and labor.

 

[peterk9]

The power steering is electric. There is no fluid.

Peter