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Occasional burning odor in passenger compartment while driving.

Sent to Car Experts May 5 2006 at 7:58 AM
   

I have a 1996 Bonnevill with about 130 K miles. While driving, sometimes a smell like burning paper comes into the passenger compartment. It usually happens after braking. I imagine a relay or something is beginning to overheat and needs replaced. The smell only lasts for a minute or so and only occurs a few times each week. Since it's an intermittent problem, my Pontiac mechanic says he won't be able to figure it out. I need some instruction on how to diagnose this problem when it occurs and on how to replace the defective part(s). I'm hoping the list of suspected components is short. I don't mind replacing multiple ones to complete the repair. I plan on selling this car soon and I want it to be safe to drive.

 

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $10
Answer
May 5 2006 at 8:32 AM (34 minutes and 12 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark

You say it usually happens after braking. But it happens while cruising as well? Have you crawled under your car to check to see if anything is touching your exhaust and burning? You might have run over a piece of paper/cardboard and it got lodged next to a exhaust heat shield or something. Check all the way from your exhaust manifold to the tailpipe including heat shields. Also look for any fluids that may be dripping on your exhaust and burning off. Might also want to check out your belts.



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James -- Helicopter mechanic -- 92% Positive Feedback on 42 Car Accepts
6 yrs helicopter mechanic on Blackhawks and Hueys
Reply
May 5 2006 at 7:38 PM (11 hours and 5 minutes and 46 seconds later)
         
Reply to James's Post: It has, to my knowledge, never happened if I hadn't just used the brakes. One time it did happen on a highway, but I was using the brakes to merge into traffic.

I currently don't accept this answer. The smell is very distinct with rapid onset, rapid dissappearance, and I think it comes from under the dashoard. If it was something combustable on the exhaust, or in the engine compartment, I don't think the smell would quickly appear and just as quickly dissappear and then not return for days at a time. It would probably just slowly smolder and generate smell at all times, and stink up my garage when I got home. There is no odor in my garage and I keep the doors shut. It would not just on and off like something electronic might. I also just had this car's oil changed at a national chain the other day, so I think if they saw a piece of cardbord jammed under there, they would remove it and tell me about it.

What I'm really looking for is a list of possible components in my Bonneville that might overheat and begin to smell for short periods of time. If I can find out where they all are, I possibly could safely pull off the road and check them for heat the next time this occurs.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Info Request
May 5 2006 at 8:06 PM (27 minutes and 54 seconds later)
         
REPLIED to Info RequestCheck Mark

Just curious, do you have electronic level control, or ride control on your model?



If this helps, please ACCEPT. In not, send me a reply and I will help you further.
James -- Helicopter mechanic -- 92% Positive Feedback on 42 Car Accepts
6 yrs helicopter mechanic on Blackhawks and Hueys
Reply
May 6 2006 at 10:37 AM (14 hours and 31 minutes and 34 seconds later)
         
Reply to James's Post: Nope. No automatic level control on this vehicle. My Aztek has it, though. When we first got that car, it took me a week or so to figure out what the noise was when the compressor kicked on. Then I saw the air hoses.

By the way, I was sitting at a stop light today in the Bonneville, and the burning odor suddenly appeared again. Possibly stronger now, but still no visible smoke. I had the windows open, and the smell was soon completely gone. I waited at several other long lights today too, but the smell appeared only that one time.

Thanks for taking an interest in this.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
May 6 2006 at 9:23 PM (10 hours and 46 minutes and 5 seconds later)
         
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James -- Helicopter mechanic -- 92% Positive Feedback on 42 Car Accepts
6 yrs helicopter mechanic on Blackhawks and Hueys
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