What's cooking?!
Hey Scotty! My son has a '73 Chevy truck with 3-on-the-tree that emits a burning smell only when it starts up in the morning... checked all the seals, no oil/coolant/fluid drips, no mice, no smoke, etc. It goes away after about 10 minutes of driving, but those 10 minutes are pure agony... smells like burning hair (don't ask how I know that smell)! Thoughts?!
That is odd it only does it for a short time. It sounds to me like something electrical. Does everything electrical still work, like the heater fan? if anything is not working (or half working) that might be where to start. You might even try removing all the fuses except the ones that are needed to start the truck and keep the truck running. If the smell goes away you'll know it is electrical. If it doesn't do it then, you can put them back one at a time, start it up, smell, repeat until the smell comes back.
If it only happens on startup, I’d check/replace the wiring to the starter.
Does it only happen on the first start of the day? Or every time the engine is started, subsequently?
Only in the morning after it sat all night... the wiring to the starter checked out ok.
Anyone else have an idea? It really stinks in here (cough-cough)! :chuckle:
Hmm, in addition to pulling out the fuses like the other member suggested, check the wiring inside/under the fuse box itself. Does it smell only when you’re driving or even if the truck is parked for 10 minutes?
Dead critter in vent heat system maybe. Burnt hair is clue. Smell must come in they vents or heater system. May be electrical as last resort, I have smelled burning hair smell in older vehicles as wire coverings heat up.
