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03 Jeep smells like burnt wax
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lmscagain
New User
Jan 2, 2010, 11:02 AM
Post #1 of 8
(9120 views)
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03 Jeep smells like burnt wax
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2003 Jeep Liberty Sport, 2wd, 3.7L, 96200 miles. Replaced brakes with ceramic 3 weeks ago. Right after that - when the Jeep gets hot (mainly on hot florida days), I noticed a smell of burnt wax (like when you blow out a candle) when I was stopped at traffic lights. It happens some days but not others. I took it back to the brake guy - and he drove it hard to get it hot - said it seems to be coming from the alternator area. All brakes checked out fine. I had replaced the battery and alternator (with a rebuilt from Advanced Auto) in June of 2009 because radio would turn off while driving and then battery was dead after a 100 mile trip. When I tried to charge the old battery - it swelled up like a dead toad so I bought a new one. No other problems with the Jeep - all fluids are fine, no leaks I can see.
The smell is NOT coolant, oil, or anything else I am familiar with. It does it intermediately, ie: I will drive 40 miles and it may happen at the first stop light or the 3rd or none of them. My "mechanic" has no idea. I have also smelled it from the outside somewhere on the passanger side front.
Any Ideas?
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Loren Champlain Sr
Veteran
/ Moderator
Jan 2, 2010, 5:40 PM
Post #2 of 8
(9105 views)
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Re: 03 Jeep smells like burnt wax
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Any Ideas? >>
I can say, with almost certainty, that a dead toad does not smell like burnt wax.  Hot brakes have a distinct pungent odor.
>>like when you blow out a candle<< That could be a description of an electrical over-heat? I would agree to keep a close eye/nose on the alternator. Wish I could smell it, myself. An overcharging battery will give you a 'sulpher/rotten egg' smell. Good luck.
Loren
SW Washington
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steve01832
Veteran
Jan 2, 2010, 6:08 PM
Post #3 of 8
(9104 views)
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Re: 03 Jeep smells like burnt wax
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May want to check for the infamous plastic bag stuck to the bottom of the catalytic converter. lol Sounds funny but I see this more times than one can imagine.
Steve
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DanD
Veteran
/ Moderator
Jan 2, 2010, 8:12 PM
Post #4 of 8
(9099 views)
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Re: 03 Jeep smells like burnt wax
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Man am I glad you guy’s had a couple of ideas of what this smell might be. I read the question earlier and didn’t know what to think?
Other then a calliper hanging up after the vehicle was driven for a bit; around the block isn’t enough at times to heat up the brake; if there’s a sticky calliper?????
Dan.
Canadian "EH"
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lmscagain
New User
Jan 3, 2010, 11:56 AM
Post #5 of 8
(9086 views)
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Re: 03 Jeep smells like burnt wax
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Thanks guys! - no brake issues - had those rechecked again after the smell started. (new ceramic brakes started all this)- nothing stuck under it either. It is definately not an electrical smell. I've had enough experience with that! lol. I did have someone mention that my remanufactured alternator could smell like that if it is going bad and said to put a long screwdrive on the housing and listen for a grinding metal sound. I guess I will try that next.
It's been too cold for the engine to heat up alot so I haven't had the pleasure of smelling it for a few days. When it is hotter out (I am in Florida) it seems to happen sooner and more often. Sometimes within a block of home - sometimes not until I get 30 miles down the road - sometimes inbetween.
When I thought I was going crazy - I had 3 other people smell it and they all agree - it smells exactly like when you blow out a candle. That burnt wax smell. Weird indeed
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steve01832
Veteran
Jan 3, 2010, 3:47 PM
Post #6 of 8
(9076 views)
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Re: 03 Jeep smells like burnt wax
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The only other thing I can think of that would have a similar smell would be plastic. Double check under the hood, especially near the exhaust manifold for wire loom melting. If you have the plug wires loomed or have an unsupported wiring harness touching the manifold it would start to melt giving an odor that could take a while to come on. Give a good look around the whole engine for melted wire loom and vacuum hose. Outside of that I would have to say get rid of the scented candle air freshener. lol
Steve
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andresqr
New User
Apr 21, 2014, 9:30 AM
Post #7 of 8
(6237 views)
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Re: 03 Jeep smells like burnt wax
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Hi Imscagain, did you ever find out what was causing the candle wax smell in your Jeep? I'm having exactly the same issues on a 03 Liberty and it is driving me nuts
Thanks,
Andres
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nickwarner
Veteran
/ Moderator
Apr 21, 2014, 10:37 AM
Post #8 of 8
(6235 views)
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Re: 03 Jeep smells like burnt wax
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This thread is 4 years old. Please start a new thread of your own instead of posting to other peoples old threads.
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