After I start up I begin to get a burning smell that seems to be on the driver's side. You can smell it while sitting in the driver's seat, and really smell it outside in the engine compartment. Kinda smells like wires burning. It seems to dissipate after awhille, but Im not sure because the car is moving. Anyone have this problem?????

I thought it was the headlight harness because I heard they go bad and my high-beams dont work anymore, but I replaced the harnes, cleaned the headlight sockets, and replaced the headlights. Did nothing to correct the problem.

90 Vert, MTX

 

If its burning wires you should be able to see smoke. Maybe your starter wiring is questionable.

 

If the ground wire on the starter is not secure, then it's possible that a much smaller wire is trying to carry the current the large ground wire should be carrying and that small wire is melting. Just a thought. Could be another thing.

 

I woudl also check the engine/body ground as its one that likes to cause problems annd overheat

 

sounds like a starter wire..

 

Thanks for the posts. It makes sense so I'll check the starter wire. Engine-body grounds I replaced about a year ago so I think they are ok. I removed starter cable and cleaned the terminal about 6 months ago so maybe it worked itself loose? Thanks

 

could also be your brushes, if your starter is old and worn it can smell like burning wires. if it is the brushes the starter won't be lasting much longer, mine didn't. mine started making the smell after i initially blew my coolant seals and overheated the starter while trying to get the car the last 3 blocks to my house, the starter made the smell ever time thereafter when i went to start the car.

 

Didnt get a chance to check the cables. I replaced the starter about 1-1/2 ago so it should be ok and not worn out. It was OEM so I'm expecting it to last many years.

 

If it only occurs after start up, could be starter/cable related, or maybe check the bypass air control valve and its wiring or connector. This is a little solenoid type air valve that opens to control the 3000 rpm startup. Mine fried out on my car and caused a burning smell when it did.

 

Cables are tight, but probably need replacing which I'll undertake after Christmas. The BAC valve I cleaned the connecters about 2 months ago when I replaced injectors. Is this what you are referring to, or is there something else I should look at? Im not sure what you mean by 'little solenoid air valve'.