chap

My truck started something similar at about 12K miles. In warm weather, first start of the morning would have a sweet kind of odor come in thru the vents. I couldn't place it - maybe coolant fluid or similar kind of smell. No leaks on the ground that I could find.

We had a 1st warmish day a week or so ago (60), and I noticed the smell on the 1st start in the morning. After that, no smell.

ducky

Well, my dealership had my truck for the day yesterday. They smell what I'm talking about but found NOTHING wrong. No leaks etc. Told me they had it in running on the lift but can't verify where the smell is coming from.

I guess as long as I took it in and it's on record I've covered my *** if this turns into something worse?
The only problem is that it's quite noticeable. My son complained this morning when I took him to school. Said it stunk like horsecrap in my truck!

WrestlingCoach

When my truck was new I had the dealer put a remote starter in. They use a local car audio install shop. After a couple uses of the remote starter I would get a strong odor of something electrical getting very hot. The remote starter installer took the truck back and found a faulty diode in the unit and replaced it. It has been fine since. Try to put yourself nearer your remote starter unit the next time you get the odor. It could be the source.


Dennis

ducky

Thanks for the reply. I'm suspecting it might be fords remote start myself. Not sure what you mean by putting myself nearer the remote start? Do you mean remote start with the hood open?

WrestlingCoach

Well because of the programmed keys these trucks use my system required a box under my dash that was programmed using my key. Without the box an additional key would have to be made and put in the system in order for it to start my truck remotely. Somewhere under your dash should be the brains of your system. It was this box in mine that got so hot I was sure a fire was a possibility. Check your connections as well. High resistance can cause heat (smell) as well.

Dennis

dcuthill

I have a similar smell coming out of my vents..... Seems weird

ducky

Thanks a lot! I'll be home tomorrow. I'm going to check this out! I was planning on crawling around under the seats/dash with a flashlight anyway. You have no idea how impossible it is to find a chocolate munchkin the kids dropped with a black interior!

itasor

I think I am experiencing this same issue, and actually found this thread through a search. It's not a gross or terrible smell...really hard to describe. I can smell it for the first maybe 30 seconds to a minute that the heat is on (air flowing through ducts), then it goes away. If I turn the fan off, let it sit (or drive for a while) and turn it back on, the smell returns for 30 seconds to a minute.

Like "chap" posted at the top of the page, I also have 12-13k miles, 1 year old (almost), and never had this issue before a few weeks ago.

I also noticed on really, really cold days this winter that the inside of my windshield sometimes gets a little frost on it. My floor mats were really wet during that time, so I figured it was just condensation, but now I'm trying to figure out if it's a heater core issue.

I'm trying to test to see which of the 4 front vents it's coming from, as it seemed much stronger from the driver's side vents than the passenger side vents, even between the 2 on either side of the radio (left one smelled, right one didn't smell at all).

ducky

Same here. I've had the truck just about a year with a little over 13k miles. This smell appeared about a month ago. I haven't noticed any frost on the inside of the window though.

FordService

Hi gang,

If you're experiencing this concern and the DIY approach isn't solving it, I recommend bringing this to the attention of your dealership so they can help. Once you've had your appointment, feel free to PM me if you need my assistance. When you write your message, be sure to include your full name, best daytime phone number, VIN, mileage, and servicing dealership.

Crystal