Problem with headache-causing smell in Volvo FM trucks

I can only think of 2 things, If it only happens in traffic it could be you burning the clutch that you smell, or it being a Volvo you could have a electronic problem melting a wire somewhere lol


American Trucker

 

My Shaker had an exhaust leak under the cab. It was worst in the city or idleing for sleep. Gave me headaches, queasy stomach, and strangely made me extremely short tempered.... not a good thing on an ex-GI.

Seriously, I'd get that exhaust looked at, PDQ.

And A-T is right, every Volvo I've been in has been prone to electrical problems.

 

I drive a VNL670 and every time I've noticed a burning plastic smell, it has been from one of two places:

1) The headlight wiring harness has to be replaced about once every six months. The connector on the headlight itself gets too hot and eventually melts causing a poor connection and self destruction. Probably sucks the fumes in from the fresh air vent.

2) Same deal for the front blower motor connector... poor connection... gets hot... melts. (Once actually started on fire)

 

Alright dont wanna hijack thread, but real quick here....
Your headlights get dim when this connector goes bad? My headlights are so dim that i run around with the brights on all the time at night. No one has ever flashed me back so it's not blinding anyone, and they look like low beams. A possible permanent solution to this could by those hid lights, they burn way cooler then halogens...just a thought, havent had to time to look into it but im off for a few weeks so i wanna address this issue. thanks!

 

given that many headlight housings are made of plastic, it might NOT be the wiring, but the headlight housing giving off the vapors of plastic.

something called "off-gassing".........(no comments from the peanut gallery now) is done by the interior of many vehicles due to the amount of plastics inside. from the floor mats, to seats, dashboard, ac/heater plenum, all contribute to off-gassing of the plastics, so much so, you will actually get a ""film" on the inside of your windows, that would 'mimic" a smokers window............

my opinion is that by this time, if it were a wire burning, that by now, the vehicle would have gone up in

 

I can't quote messages on this Crackberry... In reply to grimesjm1:

Yes, the lights will get dim for a short time, then they just stop working altogether. I carry a spare headlight harness for this reason. More likely the cause of your dim lights is because the plastic lenses are fogged. Have them polished out and see if that helps. Then keep them polished by cleaning them with liquid auto wax once a week.