Burning Smell

[Peddyr]

After taking my truck through the car wash yesterday, I noticed a "burning smell" that lasted for a few hours as I was running around doing errands. This is the second time I've experienced it. The first time was a few weeks back when we had HEAVY sustained rain that produced some serious flooding. I want to chalk them both up to a wet undercarriage, but want to see if anyone else has experienced something similar. It didn't occur last winter through the snow/slush so I'm slightly concerned. I checked the battery coolant expansion level when the truck was cool and it was right at the line. No smell on the ride into work this morning. Thoughts or Theories?

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[casanewt]

What kind of burning smell? Like an electrical burning smell(plastic smoke).

 

[Peddyr]

What kind of burning smell? Like an electrical burning smell(plastic smoke).

I'd say that's pretty accurate. For the record, I wasn't using the AC, so I eliminated that as a possible cause.

 

[Maquis]

I’d go back through the car wash again, and if the smell comes back, head straight to the dealer.

 

[casanewt]

I'd say that's pretty accurate. For the record, I wasn't using the AC, so I eliminated that as a possible cause.

Did you happen to check to see if you have leaks from the sunroof? Search for the "sloshing" thread on here.

https://www.f150lightningforum.com/forum/threads/water-sloshing-passenger-side-2.16561/#post-333804

 

[Peddyr]

Did you happen to check to see if you have leaks from the sunroof? Search for the "sloshing" thread on here.

https://www.f150lightningforum.com/forum/threads/water-sloshing-passenger-side-2.16561/#post-333804

No sunroof in my Lariat unfortunately.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

After taking my truck through the car wash yesterday, I noticed a "burning smell" that lasted for a few hours as I was running around doing errands. This is the second time I've experienced it. The first time was a few weeks back when we had HEAVY sustained rain that produced some serious flooding. I want to chalk them both up to a wet undercarriage, but want to see if anyone else has experienced something similar. It didn't occur last winter through the snow/slush so I'm slightly concerned. I checked the battery coolant expansion level when the truck was cool and it was right at the line. No smell on the ride into work this morning. Thoughts or Theories?

Hi there! Go ahead and send us a private message with your VIN and the name and location of your Ford dealer and I’ll look into this burning smell concern. Thanks!

 

[Peddyr]

Hi there! Go ahead and send us a private message with your VIN and the name and location of your Ford dealer and I’ll look into this burning smell concern. Thanks!

Honestly I think it had something to with the car wash. I haven't smelled it since then, but if it occurs again without the car wash, I'll certainly reach out.

 

[Henry Ford]

It is possible that the burning smell you encounter after going through the car wash and during heavy rain may be caused by water coming into contact with hot components underneath your truck. This contact can lead to the water evaporating and emitting a burning odor. It is advisable to have a professional mechanic inspect your truck to ensure no underlying issues exist. Prioritize your safety on the road.

What gets hot under the truck and how hot does it get?

 

[kstype]

Honestly I think it had something to with the car wash. I haven't smelled it since then, but if it occurs again without the car wash, I'll certainly reach out.

If @Ford Motor Company is reaching out to help you diagnose this I would take them up on it. They really are customer focused and I would say any “burning” smell from a first gen EV is something that you really should not dismiss - at least let them run through their remote diagnostics. I know you did not ask for my opinion-but I would hate to see a fellow owner have problems down the road.

 

[MickeyAO]

What gets hot under the truck and how hot does it get?

Motors.

 

[Henry Ford]

Motors.

... which have a temperature indicator on the gauge display. What else is down there that could get so hot as to cause a burning smell?

And what is so hot that doesn't cause a burning smell without carwash water but does cause a burning smell with carwash water? I'm struggling come up with something that isn't monitored on a vehicle that can get hot enough to cause a burning smell when water is added. That sounds like a short CAUSED by water. In other words, uninsulated current. That's slightly terrifying to consider.

 

[Pioneer74]

No sunroof in my Lariat unfortunately.

It's a positive not to have it. They are nothing but trouble.

 

[Peddyr]

That sounds like a short CAUSED by water. In other words, uninsulated current. That's slightly terrifying to consider.

This is exactly where my brain went as soon as I smelled it, but the truck was operating just fine during and afterwards. No gauge movement, no dummy gauge lit up. That said, I haven't smelled anything since Monday and I put over 100 miles a day on it. I'm no electrician, but I feel like if something shorted, it would have reared its head by now? I'll just have to start washing the truck at home now and deal with my kids pestering me while I do it

 

[MickeyAO]

... which have a temperature indicator on the gauge display. What else is down there that could get so hot as to cause a burning smell?

And what is so hot that doesn't cause a burning smell without carwash water but does cause a burning smell with carwash water? I'm struggling come up with something that isn't monitored on a vehicle that can get hot enough to cause a burning smell when water is added. That sounds like a short CAUSED by water. In other words, uninsulated current. That's slightly terrifying to consider.

The gauge shows the internal temperature, not necessarily the outer casing temperature, but I doubt this would be the case since very few (1?) has experienced this after a car wash.

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