Smell of burning wires

[dan.gaudet]

Today I discovered that pungent smell only coming from overheating wire casing. When I bought the car, it had an aftermarket stereo already installed. The lights on the new stereo stay on after the car is turned off (when they previously went out) and the fan's blower motor still works without the auxiliary power. Everything else works as it should. Any ideas?

[Flagrum_3]

Today I discovered that pungent smell only coming from overheating wire casing. When I bought the car, it had an aftermarket stereo already installed. The lights on the new stereo stay on after the car is turned off (when they previously went out) and the fan's blower motor still works without the auxiliary power. Everything else works as it should. Any ideas?

Sounds possibly like someone did a hack job on the stereo install, best advice is to check and possibly rewire the system, if not yourself there's plenty of affiliate's here to help you out.


_3

[nicker]

I agree, id get that stereo pulled out and see what is going on back there before there is major electrical damage and that my friend is bigg $$$$$$ to fix.

Got to love the hacks that people do to their cars.

[McGuyver_3]

^^ i had to hack my first instal on mine because at the time no one supplied the kits or the harnesses for this car :(
back on topic though that radio sounds fishy to me

[Noisy Crow]

Make sure that the add-on stuff is fused properly. If a new power feed was added it should have a fuse acorrect for the wire size, and it should be near the battery. If not.... could literally cause a fire.

[dan.gaudet]

Definitely going to check out the stereo. Still confused about the blower motor working without the key switched to auxiliary power. Any ideas on how or if necessary to check the ignition?

[MRT_MS3]

if your aftermarket stereo is not fused at all, it will burn wires in instant if the polarity is reversed. your blower is on even with the key off coz its being powered by a constant 12v. also check if your car had a remote starter before and the previous owner didnt give a **** on removing it properly. have your car checked asap as it could cause fire anytime now.

[Audio Heaven]

Hi,

If you would like to stop by we can have a look at it

Sincerly,

Jeff Try
Audio Heaven Inc.

905 763 1686

[dan.gaudet]

thanks Audio. I'm in Sudbury though. Little out of the way. Otherwise, I'd take you up on that.

[dan.gaudet]

Well I'm still confused about the smell of burning wires (which is still occasionally there). I had the stereo checked out and all is good. Properly wired and fused. While in the centre of the dash there was nothing noticeably wrong with my fan switch (except that it still has constant power). Has anyone had or heard of anyone who had ground problems in their ignition? If so how do I troubleshoot without tearing the column apart. Thanks in advance for your help and suggestions.

[McGuyver_3]

the best way would be to put the steering wheel all the way towards you and down then just pop off the top cover all it is is clips. Under there wou will be able to see most of the ignition wiring. But i would suggest to get a full look at it pull it all apart. Its not that difficult. remove the drivers front step plate just pulls up. The kick panel remove the clip in the center. Use a flat head screw driver to pop the center of the clip out using your nails will hurt haha. Once clip is removed pull back on the kick panel it may be a little snug in there BUT BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO TEAR IT IN HALF. the hood release cable get a long flat head screw driver and get behind the release be gentle with it and the clip will release behind it and you wan slide out the release. there you will find a phillips screw. take that out and out comes the panel by your knees also held in by all clips. You need any help let me know and i would be happy to help out

[sas]

I have sent wiring http://www.megaupload.com/?d=FX3XDBBN
You need to look Power distribution #3 and
Air Conditioning Manual A_C Circuit(don't know exactly which you have)
As you can see,you can check your ignition wire by more easy way.
Remove fuses Washer,Back,SunRoof, A/C and check if IG2 wire still have power.
There is big possibility that your blower relay have power from side circuits
powered by "ALL TIME HOT" fuses. If your blower still to work with removed A/C fuse I can to say this surely.

[dan.gaudet]

Thanx McGuyver and thanx SAS. It's been frustrating trying to find the time and the problem but with everyone's help, I'm sure I'll get it. I'll post the final prognosis.

[dan.gaudet]

PROBLEM SOLVED. Turns out it was the stereo after all. The damn thing was wired fine except that an auxiliary power wire intended to feed amplifiers, satellite radio or the like, was in fact feeding the blower motor switch (the wire was separated from the original harness and rerouted towards the fuse block). The burning smell was coming from the stereo unit itself. This install was done by professionals :loco (and I use that term lightly) in Kingston. Thanx to all for your help. And remember "Beware of the hackers".

[Videcak]

Fix or get it looked at asap, last thing you need is to come outside and find your car burned to the ground...