Burning Smell Using Remote Start

[Stryder]

It seems to be common with Ford trucks and SUVs, but I haven't found that anybody knows the cause. When I remote start my 2024 Ranger on a cold day and let it idle for 5 to 10 minutes there is a burning smell in the cabin that is apparently coming from the heater vents. Once I start driving the smell goes away. Anybody else experience this?

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[CACTUSGREYFX4]

Yes a couple times. Almost smells like burnt plastic.

 

[Stryder]

Yes a couple times. Almost smells like burnt plastic.

Exactly. Have you taken it to the dealer? I'm hesitant because I'm sure they won't be able to recreate it, or just won't know the cause.

 

[CACTUSGREYFX4]

Exactly. Have you taken it to the dealer? I'm hesitant because I'm sure they won't be able to recreate it, or just won't know the cause.

No if it gets worse than I might.

 

[MTN_WZRD]

I think it’s the defroster. I’m going to do some more testing. I have that same horrible smell though.

 

[Stryder]

I think it’s the defroster. I’m going to do some more testing. I have that same horrible smell though.

Please report back.

 

[Ag3ntC00p3r]

Did your seat or steering wheel heat turn on automatically with remote start? I thought I noticed something when I remote started on a 28 degree morning. I thought it might have been from the steering wheel heater since it was the first real time I used it.

 

[CACTUSGREYFX4]

Did your seat or steering wheel heat turn on automatically with remote start? I thought I noticed something when I remote started on a 28 degree morning. I thought it might have been from the steering wheel heater since it was the first real time I used it.

I have remote started mine a half dozen times and I still smell it for say a minute or so when I get into the truck then it disappers.

 

[Stryder]

Did your seat or steering wheel heat turn on automatically with remote start? I thought I noticed something when I remote started on a 28 degree morning. I thought it might have been from the steering wheel heater since it was the first real time I used it.

My seats come on, but thy fact that the smell goes away as soon as I start driving makes me think it's something with the HVAC.

 

[dard6555]

In the winter, I had a Chevy Impala that smelled like what you guys described and it turned out to be the catalytic converter. Once you drive it, and the converter "lights off" the smell goes away. The cat has to get up to temp. As far as my Ranger goes, I have not smelled this.

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