Burning or electrical smell from the unit during operation.

Immediate safety warning: Turn off the unit and unplug it immediately if you smell burning or see smoke. Do not continue to operate until inspected.

Steps:

• Visual inspection: With the unit unplugged, remove the front and rear covers and inspect the main PCB, motors, and wiring for burnt insulation, discoloration, or melted plastic.
• Check connectors: Tighten any loose spade connectors and look for signs of arcing (blackened terminals).
• Inspect capacitors: Look for bulging or leaking capacitors and replace with correct Hotpoint capacitors if damaged.
• Motor check: If a motor smells burnt and does not spin freely, replace the indoor or condenser fan motor.

Call a technician: If you cannot identify the source or if the compressor appears burnt, have a professional evaluate the unit before further use.