Electric burning smell after HVBJB recall replacement after drives

[Sabbaspar]

Hi all,

My 2022 MME Cali rt 1 AWD had the HBVJB connector replacement through recall (it was replaced preventatively) 2 weeks ago. Now, after drives my car smells like the smell of those electric bumper cars at fairs. Maybe a better comparison is that it smells like those toy electric slot cars we had in the 80s ans 90s as kids.

Has anyone noticed this issue? I smell it at the front of the car mostly when parked after my 1 hour ride from work. I should note that we had lots of rain in NJ the last week so maybe that is the reason? On this trip home just now, there was no rain, however.

I never noticed such a smell prior to the recall replacement. I park the car in a garage and certainly would have been alerted to a smell.

Sponsored

 

[Flint302]

Electrical smell is bad. It is your first indication of a possible substantial electrical fault. Generally speaking, your next indication could be fire. Have it looked at as soon as possible. My opinion from years of operating aircraft. Electrical smell is like a toothache--it never gets better on it's own.

 

[Maquis]

The “smell” from those old slot cars was actually ozone produced by sparking that occurred at the brushes and also where the wiper contacts the track. If your car is generating that kind of smell, something is arcing and it needs to be investigated.
If anything, I’d expect rain to minimize the effect.

 

[Sabbaspar]

Electrical smell is bad. It is your first indication of a possible substantial electrical fault. Generally speaking, your next indication could be fire. Have it looked at as soon as possible. My opinion from years of operating aircraft. Electrical smell is like a toothache--it never gets better on it's own.

Thank you for the quick reply. It's going into the shop again.

 

[Deleted member 19354]

Thank you for the quick reply. It's going into the shop again.

“Like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of our lives.”

 

[AKgrampy]

Mine is in the shop today and should be back tomorrow. I wonder if it may not be some cleaning or system coolant fluids that you smell? Certainly I will take notice tomorrow when I get it back.

 

[P. T. Magoo]

Electrical smell is bad. It is your first indication of a possible substantial electrical fault. Generally speaking, your next indication could be fire. Have it looked at as soon as possible. My opinion from years of operating aircraft. Electrical smell is like a toothache--it never gets better on it's own.

My dentist has a catch phrase: "Just ignore your teeth. They'll go away."

 

[Shayne]

Mine is in the shop today and should be back tomorrow. I wonder if it may not be some cleaning or system coolant fluids that you smell? Certainly I will take notice tomorrow when I get it back.

Finally Hoping for the best.

OP Do you see any coolant leaks or the coolant level is down? I wonder if it is being cooled correctly or not and something maybe over heating? The coolant procedure is a bit of rocket science and not for the faint of heart.

 

[AKgrampy]

Finally Hoping for the best.

OP Do you see any coolant leaks or the coolant level is down? I wonder if it is being cooled correctly or not and something maybe over heating? The coolant procedure is a bit of rocket science and not for the faint of heart.

Slot car smell is an odd smell and I know my car pulls in the smell of the washer fluid (always turn of fan for a bit when using) so just wondering. I know they do drain the coolant a bit when changing out the HVBJB so just considering that. Anything is possible obviously and I hope OP gets back with what the issue turns out to be. The connections are so tight and sealed that arcing would be not be a normal problem after a change out and I have never heard anyone mention it previously.

 

[johnnycombo]

With all that new found power I would think it's the coating on the motor windings curing due to heat. My 2021 had that smell for a while when it was new and I had a lead foot! It goes away .

 

[OH2AZ2OH]

I noticed an odor after getting mine back from the HVJB done that went away after a couple of days. It is hard for me describe, but it is an odor my brain associated with functioning electronics.

 

[Sabbaspar]

Finally Hoping for the best.

OP Do you see any coolant leaks or the coolant level is down? I wonder if it is being cooled correctly or not and something maybe over heating? The coolant procedure is a bit of rocket science and not for the faint of heart.

No leaks of any sort. I would see it on my garage floor. I'm stumped.

I noticed an odor after getting mine back from the HVJB done that went away after a couple of days. It is hard for me describe, but it is an odor my brain associated with functioning electronics.

I agree. It has actually subsided considerably. I will pay attention on the next warm day after I cane it a bit.

thank you all for your feedback.

 

[AKgrampy]

No odor after getting mine back.

 

[JohnFoxeSheets]

No leaks of any sort. I would see it on my garage floor. I'm stumped.

It wouldn't hurt to pull the rear-most panel under the hood and check the battery coolant level. The battery coolant is drained when the HVBJB is replaced, and I seem recall that at least one person on the forum had their dealership forgot to replace it after their HVBJB was replaced. In this case it wouldn't be a coolant leak, but rather just plain missing coolant. (See the Maintenance section of the Owners Manual for info on how to check the coolant.)

Good luck.

 

[Shayne]

No odor after getting mine back.

You Alaskans are truly blessed.

It wouldn't hurt to pull the rear-most panel under the hood and check the battery coolant level. The battery coolant is drained when the HVBJB is replaced, and I seem recall that at least one person on the forum had their dealership forgot to replace it after their HVBJB was replaced. In this case it wouldn't be a coolant leak, but rather just plain missing coolant. (See the Maintenance section of the Owners Manual for info on how to check the coolant.)

Good luck.

I agree if I was concerned I would check the coolant fluid level as noted. If nothing has fried yet and the smell is fading it may have been just that new smell (off gases)?

Sponsored