Hey folks,
New to the place and hoping you can help me.

I started my car, radio was on, Aircon on fan speed 1 and temperature set at half and half heat/cold. Got around the corner and smelt an electrical burning then smoke started pouring out of the vents into the car. Switched off the car and smoke continued to pour into the cabin for about ten minutes before it finally stopped. Left the car sitting a while, restarted it, everything worked, Aircon, heater, radio etc.

Worked fine for several days except for a residual smell from the vents when I ran the aircon or heater.

Wife drove it up the street and only had the wipers on. Smoke starts up again from the vents, this time no fan/aircon or heater is on. Burning smell is present. She stops the car and waits a while, starts it again, all good everything working.

I've started to pull the dash apart to try and locate the source of the burning but I figured before I got too much further and ripped apart things I didn't need to I'd ask if anyone has a clue as to the root cause of this mystery?

Hi,

There is normally a resister in the ducts, and they get quite hot. Leaves and stuff sitting on it can catch fire / smoke. Unless you have dodgy electrical work done, I would expect a fuse to blow and things not to work if it is another fault. When the fan is on anything other than high, it will be getting Hot. It wont look like a normal resister, it will be loops of Ni-chrome wire. Good luck with it.

Thanks for that I wasn't aware of the resistor. I'll check that out!

Hi,

The resistor is like a spring in looks. Multi tapped. Before you start taking things apart, try a Post in the 6 Cylinder section. Others will be able to clarify where it is for you. The AU may have a different location to other cars, if you do a search you will find you are not the first ! Good luck with it.