Ruud
Overheating Electrical Component or Contaminant on Heat Exchanger
Furnace emits a strong metallic, chemical, or electrical burning smell during operation.
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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
Blower motor overheating, Plastic or insulation touching heat exchanger, Failed capacitor, Wiring insulation burning
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety: Immediately turn off power at the furnace switch and breaker. Do not continue to operate the furnace until the source is identified.
Steps to check:
- Visual inspection: After cooling, remove blower and burner doors and look for melted plastic, discolored wiring, or burnt components.
- Check blower motor: Smell near the blower motor housing. If the odor is strongest there, the motor or capacitor may be failing.
- Remove foreign objects: Ensure no plastic bags, insulation, or other materials are touching the heat exchanger or flue pipe.
- Call technician: Electrical overheating requires professional diagnosis and component replacement.
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Repair Difficulty
Hard
4/5
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