Need help

[bigslim]

Yesterday I was driving my car and notice a slight burning electrical smell. Later as I pulled into the garage my power steering was making a slight wining noise. Any Ideas?

[Mike Poore]

Yesterday I was driving my car and notice a slight burning electrical smell. Later as I pulled into the garage my power steering was making a slight wining noise. Any Ideas?
Could have been the belt binding and slipping; but I'd be looking at where the wiring bundle goes across the right side, back, of the cylinder head.

[grampaws]

Slight whine from P/S pump normal under load..Burning smell could be oil leak/coolant leak check levels...
Headlight switches commonly burn out ....
or kick panels sometime melt on floor lighting..
otherwise only guessing??
What was on (electrical) any fuses blown..
Check around exhaust manifolds loose wire might be touching..
coins falling into power accessory plug under armrest?
cig lighters sometime short out-cell phone chargers??
could even be the car in front --odour coming through ventilation..
:)

[Smokie]

It's a tough internet question, the electrical odor is in the interior of your car with windows close and A/C on? or outside vehicle, you notice under hood? You had work recently done to your car, I would retrace the location and condition of all the wiring that was added and all wiring near where parts were removed or worked on.

Sorry I know is vague, is the best I can come up with without being there.

[mtnh]

Possible variable power steering assist electronics frying? I would try to tie the two together (steering pump noise and the smell of burnt electronic components) for resolution. (we used to call it "essence of IC" back in the 80s and 90s while working in field service for DEC -- not that we smelled that smell too often)

Does the steering effort become more resistive at higher speeds? If you have no resistance to steering changes at highway speed, you may have lost your variable power steering assist circuitry in some way.

[BillyGman]

let's start with the most simple possibility......check the power steering fluid level. If it's very low, it will cause those exact same symptoms you've mentioned, and it isn't good for the pump to let the level remain low either. If it is low, it's probably a leaking hose.

[SergntMac]

Just throwing this in for consideration...

Back around last XMas, I lost power to my HVAC, and my low speed power steering assist. A 50 amp fuse was blown, and every time I replaced it, the new fuse blew on contact, ignition off.

The short was found on the driver's side, down low and in between the dual layered firewall. The wrench had to pull the fender liner to get at it.

Just a thought...

[grampaws]

Just throwing this in for consideration...

Back around last XMas, I lost power to my HVAC, and my low speed power steering assist. A 50 amp fuse was blown, and every time I replaced it, the new fuse blew on contact, ignition off.

The short was found on the driver's side, down low and in between the dual layered firewall. The wrench had to pull the fender liner to get at it.

Just a thought...Good possibility! Problems will re-occur in vehicles..
would be worthchecking might even avoid a future prob..

[bigslim]

Thanks for all your answers. I will find out what it is next week.

[Mike Poore]

Thanks for all your answers. I will find out what it is next week.
You know, of course, now it's become a contest. You should be thinking of a suitable prize. :D

[BillyGman]

You know, of course, now it's become a contest. You should be thinking of a suitable prize. :DYou mean this isn't a contest? Come on now......I was even looking forward to the Double Jeopardy round!!