Hi. Ive been combing this forum looking for a possible solution to my problem, and while ive seen similar issues, none is exactly the same...


This all started a few days ago, I picked my girlfriend up from work, I was slowing down to pull into a gas station, when I smelled, almost like a very strong chemical "Glue" smell. My girlfriend noticed it too and was like whats that? Upon pulling into the gas station, the smell got super strong in the cab, and smelled more of like a "Burning Plastic / electronic smell" Im bad at explenning the smell but it had a "sharpness" to it (does that even make sense?)

Me, being not very vehicle savy tried to look at a couple things.

#1. Engine temp was fine.
#2. Smell was NOT coming from the vents (altho the heat was on)
#3. Smell honestly seemed like it was coming out of the back seat area.
#4. No smell on outside of vehicle
#5. No Smell under the hood. (I thought at first it could be a belt slipping and burning, but, belt "seemed" fine and I would think the engine area would reak if it was a belt)
#6 The smell like i said, almost smells like electronics burning, but sharper. This Dakota Has those seat warmers, and one seems to not work all the time. but smell doesnt seem to be in seats.
#7. Smell seems stronger on passenger side. (same side the exhaust pipe seems to favor)
#8. No Oil Smell at all.
#9. Tire wasnt hot, dont think it was coming from brakes/caliper at all.
#10. Possible a bag melted to exhaust, we were just at a walmart parking lot. This all happened at 2am, and the gas station wasnt lit very well, so I didnt really get a good change to see under. Will check this out as soon as I have access to truck again.
#11. Girlfriend took truck to work today, (against my wishes. grrr) And she said she still could catch "whiffs" of it.
#12, When I got into the truck this morning before she left, the smell was still there, like it had been lingering there since.


This is essentially all I have to go on, but if someone could shed any light Id be greatful. Im not "opposed" to taking it into a shop, but, i tend to stay broke so I try to resolve as much as I can (Changed the brakes on it myself last year and was super happy about the savings lol) But i need to make sure its safe, as my girlfriend uses this daily for work.

Sorry i know thats like a wall of text,

Johnny
2005 Dodge Dakota

 

I have had this in my 05 dakota 4.7 a couple times.. I just did a quick go over of everything and made sure nothing sh*t the bed on me... so for me I just left it until something breaks lol. but if you don't like that method, its possibly your heated seat, even though its not coming from the seat itself it could still be coming from another spot in the circuit.. just my 2cents..

 

Yah. Well today when the gf used the truck I instructed her not to use the heated seats. When she got home today, the smell was no longer there. Did a full under carriage inspection (and gave my head a good bang cuz im herp derp sometimes) didnt see any leaks, or melted Walmart bags clinging anywhere. I did a little research and saw someone people who claimed to have a 2005 Dakota and being burned or seats catching fire. One of the seats, when used, would get realllllly hot (like alot more compared to the other seat) Not sure how liable the sources about the seats catching on fire were....


I pulled the fuse to them today anyways lol

We shall see if it re-appears.

 

quick question, my buddies heater box caught fire just the other day, same kinda smell you are describing, might wanna check that out, have you been using the heater at all? he was just driving with his wife and dog and bang, smoke started coming in thru the vents, needless to say, truck caught fire and was a total loss

 

You want new or used? Best bet is to contact a dodge dealership, any Dodge dealership.