What is this harness and where is that smell coming from? (Page 1/1)
1987 Trans Am SEP 10, 09:20 PM
Well this is my first post in about 3 years so bare with me lol. So a couple days ago, I bought my first Fiero back (happened to be my first car). I haven't seen it in 15 years and the guy who had it after me was who I bought it back from. Anyway, the car sat for about the last 5 years. I have gone through the car top to bottom and it still only has 80K on the clock and no rust to be found. I do however have a harness near the air filter housing that seems to be cut/ damaged and I have no clue what its for as I cannot find the other end. I have no check engine lights of any kind so that's no help. Any thoughts? Also, I have a strange smell. Its like a mouse nest smell but it only is noticeable when standing outside the car, with the decklid open when the car is running. No smells inside at anytime whatsoever. Any ideas? Thanks guys!
wftb SEP 10, 10:39 PM
Mice have been in there, really a surprise they have not caused a CEL. But you obviously have a lot of cleaning up to do and I am pretty sure you are smelling mice urine that is getting nicely warmed up as the car runs. Check your heater fan enclosure, probably a whole family in there.
Patrick SEP 11, 12:12 AM

quote
Originally posted by wftb:

Check your heater fan enclosure, probably a whole family in there.



For sure! And check it now before your car catches fire. Seriously.




Don't turn your AC/heater fan on until you've checked/cleaned out the enclosure. Read This thread.

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 09-11-2019).]

Spadesluck SEP 11, 12:59 AM
You might also want to check the blower/resister area in the front as well just to me safe. Mice like to nest there as well, along with leaves being sucked in.
fierofool SEP 11, 09:48 AM
The front manifold area is an area that should be checked for debris and nests. Inspect it from the top and bottom for signs of any materials. Critters also like to get inside the frame rails. Even on one of my cars, driven on a regular basis, I happened to see a chipmunk sitting on the rear wheel. It disappeared into the wheel well. When I started trying to find it, it came out of a hole in the frame rail.

The trunk blower and it's ductwork is also an area to inspect on the v6 models and as Patrick illustrated, and Spadesluck suggested, remove the HVAC blower motor and the resister and thoroughly clean the HVAC area.

There is a product called No Odor that may be of help in ridding the car of the odor. There is a formula for general deodorizing and also one for eliminating pet urine odors. You can find it online. It isn't a masking fragrance as it has no odor of its own.

As for your original question about the wires. I have no clue. Do your tail and turn signals still work? There is a pair of relays mounted on the firewall behind that air filter canister. One for the fuel pump and one for the AC. Are they still there with harnesses plugged into them?

[This message has been edited by fierofool (edited 09-11-2019).]

2.5 SEP 11, 11:00 AM

quote
Originally posted by 1987 Trans Am:

Also, I have a strange smell. Its like a mouse nest smell but it only is noticeable when standing outside the car, with the decklid open when the car is running. No smells inside at anytime whatsoever. Any ideas? Thanks guys!




I've had a car or two where a mouse nest blew out of the muffler... depending on the baffles and where it is they can stay trapped in there for quite a while, stinking.
theogre SEP 11, 01:44 PM
Wires thru "firewall" there above isn't stock. All Stock wiring comes thru 2 bungs in center of that wall above ECM.
Likely need to look behind or pull D side seat to look for other end and what goes to.

Pull iffy wiring out and plug the hole. metal glued over the hole.

Mice can cause many problems even fires as said above.
Pull the blower to actually look inside ac/heater box. Not just pull the resistors. Example: http://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/141959.html

Smell anywhere else is harder to find but need to find it and fix/clean it.
Mice nests, coolant leaks, crap on/in whatever, and more can cause your smell problem or catch fire.

Warning: When cleaning mice/rats mess, use HEPA filters on everything. Vacuum cleaners and face masks w/o this are useless because lets most germs/virus thru. Even then do the cleaning outside and wash/spray everything including shop vac and tools w/ disinfectant.

Why? Mice etc can leave Rotavirus etc that can stay "alive" for days to years to make you and others very sick. Shop vac and most other types even w/ HEPA filters can contaminate the place if done inside because not made to seal at that level and leaks tiny particles. Even 3M "Toner Vac" and related vac's that some many use leak germs.
Try to remove mice mess as much as possible without a vacuum. Never use compress air.

------------------
Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave

[This message has been edited by theogre (edited 09-11-2019).]