Bryant
Overheating Components or Debris on Heat Exchanger
Strong burning or electrical smell when the furnace runs.
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Safety Warning
This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.
If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.
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Possible Causes
Dust burning off heat exchanger after long off period, overheated blower motor, wiring insulation damage, foreign objects in supply ducts
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety warning: If you smell a sharp electrical or melting plastic odor, turn off power immediately and do not operate the furnace until inspected.
- Initial seasonal odor: A mild dusty smell at first startup of the season is common and should dissipate within an hour. Open windows to ventilate.
- Inspect blower motor: With power off, check the blower motor for discoloration, burnt smell, or seized bearings. Replace if overheating.
- Check wiring: Look for melted or discolored wires near the control board, gas valve, and blower.
- Inspect ducts: Remove supply registers and check for plastic, toys, or other debris that may be heating.
Persistent burning or electrical smells require professional diagnosis to prevent fire risk.
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Repair Difficulty
Hard
4/5
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