1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Burning wire smell in garage/love the smell in the morning after coffee

Discussion in 'Prime Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by ETP, Aug 2, 2021.

  1. ETP

    ETP 2021 Prime(Limit),Highlander HYB Plat,B52-D,G,F,H

    Joined:
    Apr 12, 2009
    2,799
    1,170
    0
    Location:
    Auburdale FL
    Vehicle:
    2021 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Limited
    OK, sometimes I smell burning wires in the garage and can't figure out where it's coming from.
    Took the house main panel cover off and checked everything and just had the AC man check my units.
    There is no smell in the house.
    Not sure it's even coming from the cars as it is so sporadic.
    In the garage, I have the Prime and Highlander parked 24/7 except when driving.

    Do the Primes have a burn off period when they are new? I am at the 7 month point and maybe 2K.

    Charger plugged in doesn't seem to make a difference. Also I mostly drive in ECO/Hybrid only mode when I remember to hit the button after start. Problem is I forget when I am distracted.
    Also have 1/3 of a bag of fertilizer that is sealed in a plastic bag and a riding lawnmower.

    I just unplugged my weed whacker chargers to see if that helps.

    Seems I remember a smelling checker in the past for this forum?????:LOL::ROFLMAO:
     
    #1 ETP, Aug 2, 2021
    Last edited: Aug 2, 2021
    bisco likes this.
  2. dbstoo

    dbstoo Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2012
    1,234
    661
    0
    Location:
    Near Silicon Valley
    Vehicle:
    2024 Prius Prime
    Model:
    XSE Premium
    Burning wire is not a good thing. Yours appears to be a perfect use case for a FLIR (Forward Looking Infra Red) camera. You can use it to scan the walls looking for hot spots. There are many FLIR attachments for smart phones.

    I used it in my computer room and found a 1,000 watt UPS under my desk that was still plugged in despite not being used for 10 years. The UPS showed as a glowing box at 110 degrees.

    The FLIR might locate a wire in the walls or conduit that are overheating.
     
    ETP likes this.
  3. ETP

    ETP 2021 Prime(Limit),Highlander HYB Plat,B52-D,G,F,H

    Joined:
    Apr 12, 2009
    2,799
    1,170
    0
    Location:
    Auburdale FL
    Vehicle:
    2021 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Limited
    Think I could find one that works off a B-52 in the bone yard?

    Daughter thinks it's one of my battery chargers but I think I have a stinky Prius! But I do have a voltage drop issue, although very minor, in the house when the 4 ton kicks in.
    We have underground utilities so it would be hard to pinpoint.

    TECO is coming out in the next two weeks to check it out.

    Probably need to buy a FLIR that works as it would come in handy checking AC leaks in the attic.
     
    #3 ETP, Aug 2, 2021
    Last edited: Aug 2, 2021
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,693
    48,945
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    all you have to do is leave the prime outside overnight, and see if the smell is in the garage next morning. burning insulation is never a good thing
     
    ETP likes this.
  5. ETP

    ETP 2021 Prime(Limit),Highlander HYB Plat,B52-D,G,F,H

    Joined:
    Apr 12, 2009
    2,799
    1,170
    0
    Location:
    Auburdale FL
    Vehicle:
    2021 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Limited
    Test!

    Which comes first?

    Bottle of dry red or a box of gigantic diapers?

    The burning wire smell is sporadic so I am doing a more detailed test while I look for a great deal on a FLIR.
     
    bisco likes this.
  6. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2008
    23,270
    15,068
    0
    Location:
    Indiana, USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Deals on the smartphone-connected ones are pretty great. (I don't have one, but I'm noticing.)
     
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,693
    48,945
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    it was the red that led to the need for diapers :oops: