electrical cable burning smell

Hi

Since I bought a 1993 pontiac Grand AM car(Used car) I have nt had problem. Today When I was driving all of a sudden I had noticed electrical cable burning smell. I was wandering around, After some time I could see wisp of smoke from dash (from front heat vent and from cd player slot). Could any one guess the problem is.

Thanks

Welcome to AF!

You sure it was a burning plastic smell?

Or was it sweet smelling ?
If so and thiers smoking out the vents, I'd say your heater core is leaking.

Thanks for your reply. I m pretty much sure that it is buring plastic smell. My cloths caught up this smell. The smoke comming from dash near cd player slot. Previously,like a month ago I had noticed the sweet smell comming from the hood.Later finally fixed it as from leakage of coolant. Now these white fumes are comming inside the car when I was driving. Initially I though it is from heater and cd player. Even turn off these two switches did nt stop the smoking. So do u still think heater core is leaking. Let me know is it safe to drive even to show the mechanic? or to tow?

waiting for your help !


Welcome to AF!

You sure it was a burning plastic smell?

Or was it sweet smelling ?
If so and thiers smoking out the vents, I'd say your heater core is leaking.

If your heater leaked it would be safe to drive just smelly.

But do you have an aftermarket stereo installed?
If so you could have a short. Even after the power is shut off the wires will remain hot for a few secs/mins depending on what and where its burning.

I'd pull the stereo and see if you cant find aany burnt wires .

btw- sorry I didnt get back to you sooner!

Thanks for your reply. It seems the problem is not with stereo. Since the engine is getting warmed I assume the problem would be with heater leak. Do your have any idea abt the cost to fix it. Mine is 1992 pontiac grand am.
anticipates your reply.




If your heater leaked it would be safe to drive just smelly.

But do you have an aftermarket stereo installed?
If so you could have a short. Even after the power is shut off the wires will remain hot for a few secs/mins depending on what and where its burning.

I'd pull the stereo and see if you cant find aany burnt wires .

btw- sorry I didnt get back to you sooner!

So what about the engine being warm?
You mean when the engines warm is when the smoke rolls?

Changing the heater core isnt that tricky. Some GA's are much more difficult.
Try this link (http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?ForwardPage=/az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/09/d1/7f/0900823d8009d17f.jsp), it should cover what you need for the replacement. it'll work for the 93 or 92 GA.