Burning smell of rubber/plastic then A/C & Fans stopped working

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Bergerac32

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Good morning everyone,

I am a 49 lady who doesn't want to specialize in A/C repair on my 2013 Expedition. I am hoping that one of you here will be able to help me save money and time in getting my A/C repaired that just stopped working yesterday. I am somewhat handy so don't mind doing some basic troubleshooting if required.

I tend to leave my A/C blasting all times as it is usually stinking hot most of the time (yes, I know I shouldn't leave it on all the time). So yesterday jump in the car, turn it on, enjoy the A/C, start driving then smell a horrible, strong gaseous smell of burning or ultra hot rubber, plastic and some other mystery smell fills my nose. Roll down the window thinking something crazy is going on in the car park, seems to be only inside my car then the A/C stops working - the digital display shows the A/C on and fans on high but no more A/C action.

Please help, our family is strapped for cash and I hope to heck I can fix thing issue for minimal cost.

PS - The car has had a easy life with only around 23,000 miles and regular servicing. Has rust and paint damage from the car sitting next to sprinklers or something for couple years before I bought it (which I only mention as this might have prematurely damaged some components?)

Mahalo,

B.
 

Yupster Dog

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Good morning everyone,

I am a 49 lady who doesn't want to specialize in A/C repair on my 2013 Expedition. I am hoping that one of you here will be able to help me save money and time in getting my A/C repaired that just stopped working yesterday. I am somewhat handy so don't mind doing some basic troubleshooting if required.

I tend to leave my A/C blasting all times as it is usually stinking hot most of the time (yes, I know I shouldn't leave it on all the time). So yesterday jump in the car, turn it on, enjoy the A/C, start driving then smell a horrible, strong gaseous smell of burning or ultra hot rubber, plastic and some other mystery smell fills my nose. Roll down the window thinking something crazy is going on in the car park, seems to be only inside my car then the A/C stops working - the digital display shows the A/C on and fans on high but no more A/C action.

Please help, our family is strapped for cash and I hope to heck I can fix thing issue for minimal cost.

PS - The car has had a easy life with only around 23,000 miles and regular servicing. Has rust and paint damage from the car sitting next to sprinklers or something for couple years before I bought it (which I only mention as this might have prematurely damaged some components?)

Mahalo,

B.

Sounds like the blower motor resistor. (more than likely you wont be able to get wire harness off the blower motor resistor) look it up (there is youtube videos) pretty easy to get to and see if that is it. and since it got hot you will be needing the blower motor resistor harness as well. Splice a couple wires and your done.
here is just 1 of the videos,
 
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Bergerac32

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Thanks yupster dog! I watched the video and I checked the wire harness on the blower motor resistor and didn't notice any visual damage (which I know is not conclusive). I feel like it is the blower motor as there is no fan action at all and whatever it was involved a motor or something similar something obviously burned out because of the smell. When I turn the car on and try to adjust fan speed and temperature nothing changes but the digital display. I feel a very faint amount of cool air coming through but no fan is heard or felt. I have checked related fuses in the engine bay and inside the car on the passenger side. I don't know how to check a relay so that hasn't been done. I am someone who lacks patience and thinking I know what I am doing (lol) - I feel like I should be ordering and installing a new blower motor. I am looking for someone to suggest I do something else at this point. Should I order both the blower and resistor? Where is the best place to order quality parts from? Anyone think I am on the right track or no?

Any advice greatly appreciated!
 

99WhiteC5Coupe

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Thanks yupster dog! I watched the video and I checked the wire harness on the blower motor resistor and didn't notice any visual damage (which I know is not conclusive). I feel like it is the blower motor as there is no fan action at all and whatever it was involved a motor or something similar something obviously burned out because of the smell. When I turn the car on and try to adjust fan speed and temperature nothing changes but the digital display. I feel a very faint amount of cool air coming through but no fan is heard or felt. I have checked related fuses in the engine bay and inside the car on the passenger side. I don't know how to check a relay so that hasn't been done. I am someone who lacks patience and thinking I know what I am doing (lol) - I feel like I should be ordering and installing a new blower motor. I am looking for someone to suggest I do something else at this point. Should I order both the blower and resistor? Where is the best place to order quality parts from? Anyone think I am on the right track or no?

Any advice greatly appreciated!


https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2019/MC-10163573-0001.pdf
 

Yupster Dog

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Thanks yupster dog! I watched the video and I checked the wire harness on the blower motor resistor and didn't notice any visual damage (which I know is not conclusive). I feel like it is the blower motor as there is no fan action at all and whatever it was involved a motor or something similar something obviously burned out because of the smell. When I turn the car on and try to adjust fan speed and temperature nothing changes but the digital display. I feel a very faint amount of cool air coming through but no fan is heard or felt. I have checked related fuses in the engine bay and inside the car on the passenger side. I don't know how to check a relay so that hasn't been done. I am someone who lacks patience and thinking I know what I am doing (lol) - I feel like I should be ordering and installing a new blower motor. I am looking for someone to suggest I do something else at this point. Should I order both the blower and resistor? Where is the best place to order quality parts from? Anyone think I am on the right track or no?

Any advice greatly appreciated!
The one video mentions Amazon has the resistor and resistor harness together. Check the part numbers that @99WhiteC5Coupe put up at different places to see what will work for you.( cheapest is not always best) There is a way to check blower motor to see if it works.(look up on youtube)

Also there is another youtube video that shows how to remove glovebox for better access.
Little bit of homework and you should be good to go.

 
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Bergerac32

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Update - ordered and installed new blower, plugged on new resistor - still not working.

How likely is it that the plug for the resistor is the issue? It looks perfect and doesn't seem to change anything when I wiggle it around.

I haven't been driving the car until I get this fixed. I have checked related fuses and swapped out relays.

I am still hoping I don't have to take it to the shop. The strong smell before it makes me think it was something substantial that burned/melted up.

Can anyone suggest any more troubleshooting ideas. I hear the compressor click on and off when the a/c button is on but no cold air, or any air coming through the vents
 

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