Suddenly, rotting carcass smell - BAD
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 183
Likes: 2
From: Florida
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Vehicle sat over the weekend, parked and it was fine, get in today and it smells horrible.
There's nothing in the interior, so I don't think I could have missed anything.
Thoughts?
There's nothing in the interior, so I don't think I could have missed anything.
Thoughts?
CF Veteran




Joined: May 2012
Posts: 7,965
Likes: 964
From: Lost in the wilds of Virginia
Year: 1998 Classic (I'll get it running soon....) and 02 Grand
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Yep. Critters crawl into impossible places, die, and announce their presence.
Get under the thing with a flashlight, poke into places you wouldn't suspect.
Another possibility - a prank?
Get under the thing with a flashlight, poke into places you wouldn't suspect.
Another possibility - a prank?
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Seasoned Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
From: Eastern Michigan
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Do you have a dog? Does a friend have a dog? Try plopping one inside the car and see where they end up sniffing the most. There's a good chance they'll lead you right to it.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 183
Likes: 2
From: Florida
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Before, and after. Prob less so after.
Just took the dog out and he just stared at me. Like, lets go. lol
To be fair tho, I can now barely smell it. Wth?
To be fair tho, I can now barely smell it. Wth?
Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 232
Likes: 0
From: Sugar Land, TEXAS
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 165,00 Miles
I just came across this. Doubt it is your problem but who knows?
Smell: The scent of burning rubber or hot wires will often accompany alternator failure. A pulley that isn't in alignment or not turning freely will cause more friction on the belt, which creates heat and then the smell of burning rubber. The hot wire scent can be caused by an overheated alternator, one pushing too much power through the rotor and stator.
Smell: The scent of burning rubber or hot wires will often accompany alternator failure. A pulley that isn't in alignment or not turning freely will cause more friction on the belt, which creates heat and then the smell of burning rubber. The hot wire scent can be caused by an overheated alternator, one pushing too much power through the rotor and stator.
Mine did this, i came to the conclusion that it was my carpet being wet from the holes in my floorboard. Do you have any rust underneath? Mine was kinda a moldy smell. So check your carpets/ floorboards
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 183
Likes: 2
From: Florida
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
LOL not me 
Deff not a rubber burning smell. Remember, didn't smell when parked (and that was 45 miles). Then did after sitting for two days.
Possible, but I have the undercoating and haven't seen ANY rust, but I haven't done thorough inspection either. Ive had it though a lot of water a couple of times and no smell. It did rain over the weekend tho. I do have a sunroof, but seems good to go. Ill be checking the carpets either way.
Thanks all!

I just came across this. Doubt it is your problem but who knows?
Smell: The scent of burning rubber or hot wires will often accompany alternator failure. A pulley that isn't in alignment or not turning freely will cause more friction on the belt, which creates heat and then the smell of burning rubber. The hot wire scent can be caused by an overheated alternator, one pushing too much power through the rotor and stator.
Smell: The scent of burning rubber or hot wires will often accompany alternator failure. A pulley that isn't in alignment or not turning freely will cause more friction on the belt, which creates heat and then the smell of burning rubber. The hot wire scent can be caused by an overheated alternator, one pushing too much power through the rotor and stator.
Thanks all!
Check under the rear seat. A few years ago on a Colorado trip some mice found their way INTO the passenger compartment and set up camp under the rear seat. We only found them once they started leaving "presents" and chewed up bits of paper in the rear cargo area.
Another place I've found rodents and worth checking: in the air box under the filter.
Another place I've found rodents and worth checking: in the air box under the filter.



