Wiring Problem???

Question

In the continuing saga of the mysterious smell and heat (see the clogged catalytic converter thread if you're curious): I have a 1990 300ZX 2+2 with 176K miles --- it has always been my car and has received fairly decent maintenance and I have all service records. Recently, I am smelling burning plastic and feeling extreme heat coming from just behind the center console when I park in my garage at night. I thought this was just coincidence, but I will mention it because I have no clue as to what is relevant: my clock has been erratic for a long time but seems to have conked out and the CD player became erratic about 6 months ago --- it would never play in the morning when the car was cold but would always play at night on the drive home from work --- it conked out a few months ago and I just figured it was old. All other electrical things work to my knowledge (I have had a burned out little light in my brake light bar on the hatch for a few months and the indicator is lighting up on the dash), including my radio and antenna. I did get a new battery a few months ago. I can think of no other electrically related things to mention (I did disconnect one of the crappy rear Bose speakers a couple of years ago since it was buzzing like mad). We just replaced a bad O2 sensor and the car does drive much better but I am very concerned about this heat and smell --- I really don't want an electrical fire. The mechanic ran a computer check and said the only thing that came up was the bad O2 sensor. Would that check have shown any electrical problem? Any clues?? Thanks. Brenda.

Brenda · Accepted Answer

Called the mechanic today and he assures me that it is very unlikely that I have a wiring problem -- I mentioned the plastic bag stuck to the bottom thing and he said to bring the car by and he'd put it on a lift and we can look. I hope that turns out to be the culprit since the car is driving incredibly well since we replaced the bad O2 sensor

--- a Z can be sooooooo much fun to drive!! Brenda.

Jon Smith · Answer

Check to see that your converter is not plugged up.  When they start to fail they get really hot and smell.  You probably have problems up stream like a leaky injector that is causing too much gas to get to the converter.  This will make the converter too hot and cause the melting inside of the converter and making that burning smell.  I did a 240SX and the converter got so hot it melted the carpet under the seat to the floor.  The problem was the seat had electric controls that were wired under the carpet.  The wire melted to the floor and it shorted out the sindows and seat.  Well, there was a leaky injector that I checked by performing a leak down check on the fuel rail and after correcting that problem I took the car to the muffler shop and had the converter replaced.  Also, I replaced the wire under the seat and that fixed the windows and seat.Brenda wrote:

Steve T · Answer

Also have them look at the harness going to the transmission. Seen them"fall down" into the exhaust and do this.

Me · Answer

You should post this in the tech section at   Lots of knowledgeablepeople there.Dustin

Brenda · Answer

I see the mechanic tomorrow morning (assuming we aren't hit by anotherflipping hurricane).  There is tremendous heat emanating from theengine even after just a short drive --- when I drive just 15 minutesand then park, when I get out of the car, I can feel the heat comingoff the engine.  Much much too hot.     My question: how does a Z normally dissipate engine heat?  Isthere a fan that is supposed to blow the heat away?  How can I know ifthe fan is working?As always, thanks.  Brenda.

aperez55 · Answer

I got a 350Z last May and the same happens.  It does get warm compared to other vehicles.  Just make sure there's enough coolant there and check the temperature gauge.  It should not go above halfway.It's a high performance engine, they tend to warm up.

Wiring Problem???

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