It doesn't happen every time we set the climate control to a warmer setting, but "sometimes" shortly after turning on the heat, we get somewhat of an electrical smell. I'll turn it off and back on and the smell goes away and does not happen again during that drive. It is not an oil smell, definitely smells like an electrical burning smell, not overwhelming, but subtle. Again, if I turn off the climate control and restart, there is no smell. Any ideas?

 

does it happen after rainy days?

hows is your cowl sealing against the windscreen?
had the same issue until i fixed the rain leaking underneath my cowl. it was dripping on my cables and engine heat was evaporating the water and with it came that smell.

 

I kinda doubt that could be the issue just because this car is not driven in the rain and I rarely have ever hose washed it, but thanks for the response.

 

Could be one of the blend door motors or any climate control door motor. The fresh air vent may be picking up a smell from outside but that would not fit your on off problem solved description. Hard to pinpoint since it goes away after a restart

 

Drove it this evening and no smell. Intermittent problems are the worst.

 

Good thinking. At the bottom of the control panel, play with the buttons that let you manually select where the airflow is routed. Select a mode and wait a few minutes. Play with the fan speed, too. I’d think a lower fan speed would be best so any scent isn’t dissipated too quickly.

I think you can do this with the key on but without starting the engine, so it’s cold. That would eliminate the engine as a source.

On my ‘02 V6, oil was leaking from the right valve cover and occasionally hitting the hot exhaust manifold. Every now and then, I’d get that burnt smell in the ducts, mostly when coming to a stop. Different smell than what you’ve described, but if more common when slowing down, the source could be something else under the hood. The cabin air intake is at the base of windshield. Check the seal between the hood and cowl.

 

maybe the fan motor itself....when initially started for the day or even after a long sit it could be sticky and drawing max amps thru the windings that are old.....check the cabin filter as karl suggests for sure....a lot of strange smells cam emminate from an old one...heat always seems to intensify smells i have found too...easiest way to clear a car out is to lay a stinker with full on heat...thought my kids were going to road lynch me one time

 

Please let the record show I'm not the one who steered the conversation there.

On a related note, I'm not able to clear out close quarters as you've described. In my case , there's a pleasant floral aroma. Those around me are wonderfully surprised, looking intently for the lilacs and roses tickling their olfactory receptors.

 

No smell on yesterday's drive. On a humorous note, heat and stink is definitely not a good combination. Thanks to all who have responded.

 

Rev up your engine and try to smell in the area of the habit filter. See if you can sense in in the engine bay