Burning smell 88 Grand Marq. // & idle question

[Deezy]

Hello , I was on the freeway earlier and half way home I started smelling a somewhat strong burning plastic kind of smell I immediately pulled over but could not find any thing for the life of me smelled in the cab but I couldn't smell anything out side. Any ideas/ Experiences?



ALSO its been pretty cold around here and recently when I start the car it sounds fine and then after about 20 secs it will start sounding like its going to stall out a few times ( it did ONCE when it was 22 degrees out but it drives perfect and all.



Honestly I need general tips on everything ( gas, additives, ets.. ) Im trying to keep this thing healthy lol


Thanks guys I appreciate it

[sly]

check the PCV valve to make sure it's still in it's hole... check the resistor pack fro the heater blower (on the firewall just to the right of the heater core)... check exhaust headers for anything that might be resting on them.

as for the idle issue... you probably need to clean the throttle body and IAC (carb/throttle body cleaner is your friend... follow the directions on the can)

Generally speaking... they don't need much if any additives. just change the oil every 3K and make sure it never goes low and they'll just run.

[marquisman]

check around the A/C evap core, down by the passenger side exhaust manifold. I once had the heat deflector insulation burn on my wagon. It never caught fire obviously but, smelled like an electrical fire lol.

[fmansfield444]

Also check for o2 sensor wiring to be clear from the exhaust.

Also do you have any exhaust leaks? Before I did my exhaust one of my cats had a hole in it and it stunk as well

[packman]

Check your electrical accessories for anything that is suddenly not working. I had my turn signal wires burn on the Malibu once. Same smell. Try everybody's suggestion as they have more experience with these matters.


Packman

[TomO]

Hello , I was on the freeway earlier and half way home I started smelling a somewhat strong burning plastic kind of smell I immediately pulled over but could not find any thing for the life of me smelled in the cab but I couldn't smell anything out side. Any ideas/ Experiences?



ALSO its been pretty cold around here and recently when I start the car it sounds fine and then after about 20 secs it will start sounding like its going to stall out a few times ( it did ONCE when it was 22 degrees out but it drives perfect and all.



Honestly I need general tips on everything ( gas, additives, ets.. ) Im trying to keep this thing healthy lol


Thanks guys I appreciate it

I had a similar experience in my '89 Grand Marquis. I would occasionally smell what seemed to be burning electrical wiring over the course of a couple of months. Then, one day smoke started coming out of the steering column. It turned out to be the turn signal/headlight dimmer switch. I'm not sure exactly what happened, but something was shorting out in it. When I replaced the switch I never had the smell again. So, it could be the signal switch or anything electrical for that matter.

[sly]

could also be the connector on the headlight switch or the switch itself.