Connie
Well-Known Member
I was coming down the 400 this morning, going about 120ish, when all the traffic stopped, as it does quite regularly. Slammed on the brakes and stopped, safe following distance for the win!
Anyways, as I was sitting there stopped waiting for the traffic to start moving again, Connie was idling funny and almost stalling; the dash lights were going super low as it idled to the brink of stalling, then revved back up on its own, then back down, then back up. I had to blip the gas pedal to keep the engine from stalling. At the same time, a burning electrical smell, VERY strong, came through the vents.
At first I wasn't sure that it was me, but as traffic started moving, the smell followed. Yep, definitely me. Car ran fine as long as I was on the gas, but low rpms were rough. I continued the rest of the way to work; the smell faded (but still faintly there) and the car started running better, but still not quite right at idle.
The check engine light was already on because my evap code came back again the day after I passed emissions, so not sure if it threw a code. No other dash lights, running at normal temperature. Everything still works; headlights, taillights, windows, audio system, climate control, heater, sunroof, power mirrors and windows, defog, power seats, VTEC still kicks in, literally everything.
I did notice that turning the lights on and off was definitely putting more of an electrical load on the car than normal; idle changes distinctly when turning the lights on and off. And it sounds like it's missing at idle now, too.
Whatever happened, happened abruptly after heavy braking. And Connie sees heavy braking like that on a daily basis, and it's never been an issue before. Anyone have any clues as to what the heck happened?
I'll take a better look during my break once the sun is actually up. Unless my car burned itself down in the parking lot by the time I get back out there.
Anyways, as I was sitting there stopped waiting for the traffic to start moving again, Connie was idling funny and almost stalling; the dash lights were going super low as it idled to the brink of stalling, then revved back up on its own, then back down, then back up. I had to blip the gas pedal to keep the engine from stalling. At the same time, a burning electrical smell, VERY strong, came through the vents.
At first I wasn't sure that it was me, but as traffic started moving, the smell followed. Yep, definitely me. Car ran fine as long as I was on the gas, but low rpms were rough. I continued the rest of the way to work; the smell faded (but still faintly there) and the car started running better, but still not quite right at idle.
The check engine light was already on because my evap code came back again the day after I passed emissions, so not sure if it threw a code. No other dash lights, running at normal temperature. Everything still works; headlights, taillights, windows, audio system, climate control, heater, sunroof, power mirrors and windows, defog, power seats, VTEC still kicks in, literally everything.
I did notice that turning the lights on and off was definitely putting more of an electrical load on the car than normal; idle changes distinctly when turning the lights on and off. And it sounds like it's missing at idle now, too.
Whatever happened, happened abruptly after heavy braking. And Connie sees heavy braking like that on a daily basis, and it's never been an issue before. Anyone have any clues as to what the heck happened?
I'll take a better look during my break once the sun is actually up. Unless my car burned itself down in the parking lot by the time I get back out there.
