Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting A smoky episode....

Why smoky?

Well, today, I was driving my Tour, and stopped at an intersection. Suddenly, smoke (not steam) began blasting from my AC vents.

How do I know this is smoke? I've seen the steam come out of them sometimes, and it's relatively thin. This time, it was more of a blast of smoke. It had a weird burning odor, and the smoke was also emerging from under the car. I had the AC on MAX A/C, on the second to last speed setting (almost full blast), and it's about 90 degrees outside.

I thought it was overheating, but the ratiator temerature as normal. Then, I thought of it maybe burning oil, but for it to come out suddenly (and to have a full oilpan) from under the car, and particularly from the AC vents counted that out.

I stopped at a gas station to check the two possible problems, and everything was fine. Driveability was normal (well, yeah, you know how my car is), performance was the same as always. So this leaves the only option being the air conditioner. I continued to drive home with the AC off.

What was that smoke? It smelled like something burning (I know what burning rubber smells like, and what burning oil smells like, but this smelled different). It didn't smell completely like plastic, but I guess it kinda had a hint of it in there. Smelled really bad.

Help!

A/C condenser took a dump?

Check the blower motor resister pack. It may be on it's way out.

Cars are known to break down at the worst possible period. Not only is that unit dying off, but so is the alternator, at around the same time that I plan to do another oil change.

Thanks for the help.

Did it have (or need) the recall for the blower motor or resistor wiring?

Not sure. I couldn't find any repair or recall history (unless there's another way to search through VINs...is there?)

BUT, the plot thickens....

Yesterday, I took the car to work, and it drove fine, until the alternator was crapping out. I drove home, with the batterly light going on, and off, and on, and off. At night, I tried moving the car into our driveway, and it wouldn't start. It's now sitting in the garage, where it'll stay for who knows how long.

Your alternator probably let the battery get too low to start the engine anymore. Try charging the battery with a charger. If it starts, you will need to fix the alternator (or its wiring) followed by the blower motor or resistor pack. At least the car is in a nice shady garage!

Yeah, it'll stay there for about a week and a half, maybe (and hopefully) less while I go all the required repairs and maintenance.

My Check Engine light came on and stayed on last night on my way home from work, I have to find what code, such fun..

Code 455, large evap leak, gas cap was not tight (cross threaded) Good luck with your repairs.