Miller
Overheating Components or Dust Burn-Off
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 accumulation on heat exchanger, Overheating blower motor, Electrical short or melted wiring, Foreign objects in furnace
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety: If you see smoke or flames, shut off power and gas and call emergency services. Do not ignore persistent burning smells.
- Initial burn-off: A mild burning dust smell is normal for the first few cycles of the season. It should dissipate within an hour.
- Inspect blower motor: Turn off power, remove blower door, and smell near the motor. Look for discoloration or melted insulation. Replace an overheating motor.
- Check wiring: Look for melted or charred wires near the control board, gas valve, and blower. Repair or replace damaged wiring and correct the cause of overheating.
- Clean furnace interior: Vacuum dust and debris from the burner and blower compartments with a soft brush attachment.
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Repair Difficulty
Hard
4/5
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