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HELP! Weird Electrical Smell

Help, Advice and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's P80 platform cars -- Volvo's 1990s "bread and butter" cars -- powered by the ubiquitous and durable Volvo inline 5-cylinder engine.

1992 - 1997 850, including 850 R, 850 T-5R, 850 T-5, 850 GLT
1997 - 2000 S70, S70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70, V70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70-XC
1997 - 2004 C70

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rp850
Posts: 67
Joined: 23 March 2005
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HELP! Weird Electrical Smell

Post by rp850 »

I'm hoping someone could help diagnose a weird electrical smell coming from what seems to be the passenger side of my 850 Turbo wagon. It comes and goes but seems more noticeable when the car is at a stop or right after I shut it off. It smells electrical or maybe a melting smell. Thankfully I havent seen any smoke. My mechanic could not find anything apparent and attributed it to a cabin filter that needed to be replaced. I replaced it because it really did need to be changed but I can still smell something from under the hood. I can safely say I can eliminate the smell coming from the A/C ducts. Could it be the blower motor or maybe the alternator?

Thanks!

Homer

Post by Homer »

Same problem here--car fills the garage with hot wire smell. Ive been waiting 2 years for it to manifest itself more. Car just keeps working fine. (When i try to locate the smell under the hood-it seems to originate in the area of the PNP switch- but all is well there.)

rp850
Posts: 67
Joined: 23 March 2005
Year and Model:
Location:

Post by rp850 »

Seems like it originates from the passenger side (RHS). I have noticed the smell since my oil was recently changed and a little overfilled. Hot days and multiple starts seem to make it more noticeable, especially after starting the car it comes through the vents as well as under the hood. Since then I've used about 1/2 quart and the level went down to normal range, I don't seem to notice the smell as much? I just figured this out and I'm suspecting clogged breather hoses/PCV. Having it checked out. I'll keep you posted.

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